When your child brings home the Head Lice Information letter that does not necessarily mean that head lice has been found in your child's classroom. It does mean that head lice have been found in your child's grade level. The school nurse will automatically check when head lice are found in any grade level. It is very important that you also check your child's head during this period of time.
Facts about Head Lice
The incidence of head lice has nothing to do with hygiene or cleaning, the bugs can swing around better in less oily hair.
 |
Lice are species specific. Dogs and cats get them, but they can only survive on them. |
|
Most cases do not occur from direct contact. |
|
Head lice can only live three (3) days without a host. |
|
Head lice do not jump. |
|
Head lice swing from hair shaft to hair shaft. |
|
They do not like kinky hair as they cannot swing. |
|
They prefer children's hair because it is thin and they can swing better. |
|
They suck blood from the scalp and move down only about one (1) inch to lay their eggs. |
|
The eggs are approximately half the size of a poppy seed. |
|
They will take on the same color as the hair. |
|
Head lice are very tactile and like to be warm. |
|
Head lice will hang on fabric or upholstery for three (3) days waiting for a head to live in. |
|
The areas that head lice like to lay their eggs are the bangs, around the ears and lower back of the hair line. |
Home Treatment for Head Lice
|
When removing nits (eggs) or shampooing, have your child wear a button-down shirt. This will limit the possibility of reintroducing nits or lice by pulling a shirt over your child's head. |
|
After treating your furniture and carpeting, place a sheet over your child's favorite spot to watch TV, etc. At the end of the day fold it carefully and wash it daily. This will eliminate the possibility of the nits or lice finding their way back in your carpeting or furniture. |
|
Never remove nits over carpeting or while your child is sitting on upholstered furniture. Head lice will latch onto fabric or carpeting and wait for another head to live in. |
|
Always check your child's head daily for at least two weeks and then every day for two more weeks. If your child happens to get a reoccurrence due to one missed nit or re-exposure, you will catch it early. |
|
Nits should be removed as soon as possible. The house treatment should also start immediately. The final total house treatment should be done again when your child is totally nit free. |
|
Do not allow other children in your home or allow your child in anyone else's home until your child is nit free. |
|
The person removing the child's nits should always wash their hands with a brush. Nits could be hidden under nails. |
|
All bed linens should be washed daily until nit free. |
|
Put all stuffed animals, beanie babies and dry cleaning items in a sealed trash bag for at least 10 days. A cool or cold place is the best as the bugs and nits cannot survive in the cold. |
|
Make sure all pillows, throws and blankets are washed and dried. If items are dry clean only, either put them in a sealed trash bag for at least 10 days or put in a dryer on high for thirty minutes. |
|
Don't allow any sharing of hair items (brushes, combs, barrettes or scrunchies) |
|
Wash all outer wear immediately and also when totally nit free. |
|
Dispose of vacuum cleaner bag after vacuuming. |
|
If your child has long hair, it is best to wear hair in a pony tail or pulled back. |