Head Lice in Schools

August 2012

Objectives: After this presentation, school staff will:

Identify at least 3 facts about head lice Describe management of possible head lice

infestation in the classroom according to Asheboro City Schools Head Lice Nursing Intervention.

Head Lice: Historical Perspective

Lice have been our companions since ancient times & have so befriended us, they can’t live without us.

Lice likely co-evolved with people; claws are well adapted to grasping the hair shaft.

Lice are host specific parasites so human lice don’t live on other animals.

Lice must feed off scalp, so they die within 24 hours of separation from human hosts; if they have fallen off hair, they are at the end of the life cycle.

Head Lice: What are They?

A head louse is an insect that lives on the human scalp and feeds on blood. They will congregate in all areas of the head but particularly at the nape of the neck or around the ears

Head lice hatch from small eggs (nits) that are attached with a cement like substance to the shaft of individual hairs.

Eggs hatch in about 7-10 days. Once hatched the head louse matures in less than 2 weeks

Head lice infestation cause intense itching of the scalp.

Head lice are not known to naturally transmit microbes that cause disease.

The greatest harm associated with head lice results from the well-intentioned but misguided use of caustic or toxic substances to eliminate the lice.

Traditional pediculicides and alternative methods are frequently over-applied and can cause harm to students

Head Lice Facts: (cont’d)

Head Lice: How do we get them?

The most common means of transmission is through physical/direct (head to head) contact!!

Head lice CANNOT jump or fly! Indirect transmission is uncommon but may occur

via shared combs, brushes, hats, and hair accessories that have been in contact with an infested person.

Rarely, through shared helmets – don’t live on helmets alone.

Schools are not a common source of transmission.

Each school year:

All staff will review lice info per powerpoint training

The principal will designate 3-4 staff members for training in identification of head lice infestation in students

The school nurse will train designated staff The school nurse will be available for

questions/verification throughout the year

How to Manage Head lice in Our School

School employees shall report all suspected cases of head lice to the school nurse /trained designee. The school nurse or designee shall examine the student. An infestation shall be determined by looking closely through the hair and scalp for viable nits or live lice.

On initial inspection, when live lice or nits are found, the school nurse or designee shall contact the parent to determine treatment status

Managing lice -cont’d

If the student has not already been treated in the last 7-10 days, the child will be sent home for treatment.

The parent/guardian shall be given information on the biology of head lice, methods to eliminate infestation, and directions to examine household contacts for lice and nits. This info will be located at each school .

Managing lice - cont

Parents/guardians will show proof of treatment when the student returns to school the next day. The student will also be re-examined by the school nurse or trained staff before returning to class

If the parent/guardian is unable to afford treatment, the family will be referred to the school nurse or school social worker

If the student has chronic problems with head lice, the nurse and social worker will work with the family

All STAFF SHALL MAINTAIN THE PRIVACY OF STUDENTS IDENTIFIED AS HAVING HEAD LICE.

Unjustified Responses to Live Lice

Notification of classmates parentsNotification of classmates parents Classroom or schoolwide screeningsClassroom or schoolwide screenings Insecticide treatments to the school Insecticide treatments to the school

environmentenvironment Restricting use of headphones, Restricting use of headphones,

equipment (helmets)equipment (helmets) Reporting to Social Services in absence Reporting to Social Services in absence

of other indicators.of other indicators.

Important info for school staff

Creating unnecessary panic in the school community is a disservice to students.

We need to educate students, families, and ourselves based on fact and not fear.

Head lice should not interfere with a student’s opportunities to learn and achieve in the classroom. Missing school puts a child at risk for failure.

REMEMBER:

Head Lice is not an emergency nor a threat to our school community!!!

Head Lice is a NUISANCE…. for our students and their families

Education and cooperation will allow our students to maintain good health and the ability to learn and do their best in the classroom

Please contact your school nurse with any questions you have regarding the health of our students!!

Resources

NASN pediculosis position statement http://www.nasn.org/Default.aspx?tabid=237

AAP policy on head lice http://aappolicy.aappublications.org/cgi/content/full/pediatrics;110/3/638