Student DOBDate
School Teacher Grade:
Parent/Guardian Phone

Your child has evidence of live head lice/nits. The school district has a “No-Live Lice”policy. Before returning to school, all of the live lice on your child’s scalp must be removed. Upon return to school, your child’s scalp will be checked; if no evidence of live lice, he/she may resume class attendance.

Head lice are not dangerous. They do not transmit disease, but they do spread easily. It is important to talk to your healthcare provider, pediatrician, or local health department to get appropriate care. Head lice information and the head lice policy are available on the NRMPS website: Go to ParentsStudent HealthHead Lice.

A few things to consider include:

  • All household members and other close contacts should be checked, and those with evidence of an active infestation should also be treated at the same time.
  • There are a number of available treatments, including new prescription treatment options that are safe.
  • Over-the-counter head lice treatments are most commonly used. Resistance has been reported; prevalence unknown.
  • The most common reason for recurring cases of head lice is not removing the nits from hair shafts, closest to the scalp.
  • When the lice eggs “nits” hatch, the infestation recurs/continues.
  • Removing the nits is a tedious process.
  • Good light is needed to see the nits.
  • Nits are whitish or brown in color and the size of a grain of salt.
  • Nits are best removed by using a fine-tooth comb, such as LiceMeister®. Check with your school nurse or drug store.
  • Nits may also be removed by using your fingernails, pinching the nits, and pulling to end of hair shaft.
  • Family bed linens and recently used clothes, hats, scarves, and towels should be washed in very hot water.
  • Personal articles such as combs, brushes, barrettes, and hair clips should also be washed in hot water if they are in contact with a person with head lice.
  • A Head Lice Treatment Checklist is attached to assist you.

Head lice are tiny, wingless insects that live close to the human scalp. They feed on human blood. The eggs, also called nits, are tiny, tear-drop shaped eggs that attach to the hair shaft. They are often found around the nape of the neck or the ears. Nits may appear yellowish or white and can look similar to dandruff; but, unlike dandruff, can be difficult to remove. Nymphs, or baby lice, are smaller and grow to adult size in one to two weeks. Adult lice are the size of a sesame seed and tan to grayish-white.

As you and your family deal with this issue, keep in mind that head lice infestations are not related to cleanliness/hygiene. In fact, head lice often infest people with good hygiene and grooming habits. Infestations can occur at home, school, or in the community. Head lice are mostly spread by direct head-to-head contact—for example, during play at home or school, slumber parties, sports activities, or camp. Less often, head lice are spread via objects that have been in recent contact with a person with head lice, such as hats, scarves, hair combs, brushes, etc.

Please contact me if you have any questions or need assistance.

Thank you,

______

School NursePhone Number

1