Head Lice
School nurses may perform routine lice checks routinely throughout the school year.Students may be sent not be allowed to return to school for at least 24 hours following discovery of lice in order to give families sufficient time to complete the following requirements. Treat the individual and the entire family (it may be a good idea to advise extended family including grandparents, etc. if they have frequent contact). Treatment requires using an over-the-counter or prescription medication. We strongly urge you to contact your family physician.
The following treatment steps are recommended:
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1.
Remove all clothing and launder.
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2.
Apply lice medicine, also called pediculicide, according to label instructions. If your child has extra-long hair, you may need to use a second bottle. WARNING: Do not use a conditioner or combination shampoo/conditioner before using lice medicine. Do not re-wash hair for 1-2 days after treatment. Follow the directions on the medication carefully.
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3.
Clean clothing should be work after treatment.
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4.
If some live lice are still found 8-12 hours after treatment, but are moving more slowly than before, do not retreat. Comb dead and remaining live lice out of the hair. The medicine sometimes takes longer to kill the lice.
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5.
Nit (head lice egg) combs, often found in lice medicine packages, should be used to remove nits and lice from the hair shaft. Many flea combs made for cats and dogs are also effective.
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6.
If, 8-12 hours after treatment, no dead lice are found and lice seem as active as before, the medicine may not be working. See your health care provider for a different medication and follow their treatment instructions.
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7.
After treatment, check, comb, and remove nits and lice from hair every 2-3 days.
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8.
Re-treat in 7-10 days.
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9.
Upon return to school students will be checked for 3 weeks to ensure all lice and nits are gone.
The following steps are used to treat the household:
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1.
Machine wash all washable clothing and bed linens.
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2.
Use the hot water cycle (130 degrees F) to wash clothes.
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3.
Dry laundry using the hot cycle for at least 20 minutes.
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4.
Dry clean clothing that is not washable (coats, hats, scarves, backpacks, etc.)
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5.
Store all clothing, stuffed animals, comforters, etc. that cannot be washed or dry-cleaned in a plastic bag and seal for 2 weeks.
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6.
Soak combs and brushes for 1 hour in rubbing alcohol, Lysol, or wash with soap and hot water (130 degrees F).
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7.
Carefully vacuum the floor, furniture, vehicles, and car seats.
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8.
Do not use fumigant sprays, as they can be toxic if inhaled.