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FACTS ABOUT HEAD LICE
Head lice do not discriminate against socio-economic
group or race, and are not related to poor hygiene
habits.
Head lice do not transmit diseases.
Head lice feed on human blood only -they MUST
have a human host to survive.
Head lice do not come from animals or pets and
cannot survive on a nonhuman host
An itchy scalp is usually the first noticeable sign. The
itching is caused by an allergic reaction to the saliva
of the lice. 50% of people do not have this reaction!
The time between the eggs being laid and the live
louse dying is approximately 30-33 days. A female
louse can lay 2 to 10 eggs per day.
There are approximately 5 female lice for every male
louse.
Head lice do not jump or fly, but they can crawl
really fast!
Humans cannot catch nits. The nits/eggs are
securely glued to the hair strand and cannot move.
Transmission usually occurs through direct head-to-
head contact.
Head lice feed every 3-4 hours. Most lice die within
24 hours of being removed from the host.
Homes and schools do not get lice - people do!
There are between 6 and 12 million reported cases
of head lice each year. You are not alone!
IF YOU HAVE AN INFESTATION
Check ALL family members-treat only those
with an infestation
There is NO magic potion-all bugs/nits must be
removed manually by combing.
Wash or change bed linens.
Wash brushes and combs that have been used
within the past 24 hours in hot water. NO special
soaps or disinfectants needed.
Stuff toys can be placed in the dryer, on high heat,
for 20 minutes.
Report any infestation to your school, daycare and
close friends. THIS IS THE ONLY WAY TO SOP THE
CYCLE!!!
Many parents are not aware of head lice and would
appreciate the phone call.
When it comes to head lice, silence is NOT golden!
KEEP AHEAD OF HEAD LICE
Please check your child weekly for head lice.
If lice are found, keep students home and treat
them.
Students may return to school after being treated.
They must come to the clinic for a head check prior
to being admitted back to class.
Long hair should be worn back (preferably in a braid)
or up in a ponytail or bun.
Lice are repelled by the scent of mint, so any product
that you use with mint will help.
Discourage the sharing of personal items, such as
brushes and combs.
Educate yourself, your family, your neighbors and
co-workers.
Please refer to the Katy ISD Health Services policy in
regards to head checks:
Head Lice are not a public threat, they do not carry communicable disease. The Texas Department of
State Health Services does not track cases of head lice in schools. Currently, the district recognizes that an
active head lice infestation may create a difficult learning environment for the affected student(s) and as a
result, the district maintains a program to identify and eliminate live head lice.
Head checks are made whenever symptoms are noted to be present. Parents are notified immediately if
their children have evidence of live head lice. Parents are encouraged to promptly pick up their child and
treat the condition. If the parent cannot come for his/her child, the telephone number of a relative,
neighbor, or friend who can come must be on file in the school office. Parents should contact their
medical provider for methods of treatment.
A parent should accompany the child to school upon his return. The child must report to the clinic before
going to class and is not cleared to return to class until his or her head has been rechecked by the nurse
and found to be free of live lice. If any live lice are found, in the child's hair, he/she will be sent home until
no evidence of live lice exists. Nit removal, though tedious, is the most effective way to eliminate lice.
Thank you for your help and cooperation, so that your child's education will not be interrupted. The most
effective screening occurs at home.
CHECKING FOR HEAD LICE Examine the entire scalp. Look for nits stuck to the hair shaft, as well as an adult louse moving around on the scalp or hair. Head lice and nits are about the size of a grain of rice. Nit Identification: Nits are lice eggs. They are white or tan in color when first laid. The nits turn coffee colored before they hatch. Nits are glued by the female louse on the hair shaft about 1/2 inch from the scalp. This glue is so strong that the nits cannot be as easily removed as dandruff. They cannot be washed or brushed out of the hair. Head Lice Identification: Adult and immature louse look similar. Adults are 1/10th to 1/8th inches long. They vary in color from tan to grey white. They cannot fly or hop, but crawl quickly. .
.
If you have any questions, please contact the JRE
nurse
Michelle Boeker, RN
281-234-3825
