Head Lice in Schools

1
Head Lice in Schools

• October 21, 2007

2
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.

3
Head Lice Historical Perspective

• Lice have been our companions since ancient times
  have so befriended us, they cant 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
  dont 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.

4
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

5
Head Lice Facts (contd)

• 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

6
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 dont live on
  helmets alone.
• Schools are not a common source of transmission.

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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

8
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

9
Managing lice -contd

• 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 .

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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

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Unjustified Responses to Live Lice

• Notification of classmates parents
• Classroom or schoolwide screenings
• Insecticide treatments to the school environment
• Restricting use of headphones, equipment
  (helmets)
• Reporting to Social Services in absence of other
  indicators.

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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 students
  opportunities to learn and achieve in the
  classroom. Missing school puts a child at risk
  for failure.

13
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

14
?????

• Please contact your school nurse with any
  questions you have regarding the health of our
  students!!
• Please print the following verification page and
  return to your school secretary.

15
Lice Management TrainingAsheboro City Schools
2008-09

• Please print and return to school secretary by
  Sept 25.
• Name __________________
• School __________________
• Position __________________
• My signature verifies that I have completed this
  module.
• I understand all information in this module. I
  will check with my school nurse with any
  questions that I may have.
• Signature _________________________________
  Date ________________

16
Resources

• NASN pediculosis position statement
  http//www.nasn.org/Default.aspx?tabid237
• AAP policy on head lice http//aappolicy.aappublic
  ations.org/cgi/content/full/pediatrics110/3/638