“Pediculosis represents one of the most common communicable childhood diseases, and whether or not we understand how this has evolved, it is important to acknowledge head lice as a problem when raising or caring for children.” …National Pediculosis Association
Procedure for Prevention and Management of Head Lice in School
OCSU’sHead Lice / No Nit Policy was designed to engage the parents andcommunity in the prevention and treatment of head lice. OCSU schools apply a three pronged approach to head lice infestation management which includes (1) community education, (2) regularly scheduled screening and (3) temporary dismissal from school until all lice and eggs (nits) are removed.
- Community Education
- Everyone in the community who is responsible for the well-being of our children should have a basic understanding of head lice epidemiology and safe and effective treatment measures.
- At the beginning of each school year, at kindergarten registration, andfor students entering during the school year, the school willprovide parents with information about head lice and the school’s “head lice / no-nit” policy.
- Provide the school staff with information about head lice and the school’s policy
- Information about head lice and the school’s policy should be available on the school’s website.
- Create opportunities to educate the community such as information booths at school events and articles in school publications and flyers.
- Promote community participation and awareness by promptly informing all parents when there is an outbreak of head lice. A sample letter might look like this:
"A case of head lice has been reported in your child’s group. Head lice continue to be one of the most prevalent communicable childhood diseases among children, and outbreaks are possible whenever and wherever childrengather. Please screen your child regularly and notify us immediately if head lice or their nits (lice eggs) are detected. For those of you who do not know how to check your child for head lice, we welcome the opportunity to teach you. Working together helps protect all of the children, including your own.
Thank you for your cooperation."
- Regular Screening and Early Detection:
- Routine school-wide head lice screenings will be held at the beginning of school and after school vacation periods, providing families prior notice of such events. This encourages families to check their children’s heads, and when detected early, offers the best opportunity for successful treatment.
- Screeners must be properly trained by the school nurse
- Use new 6” applicator sticks for each student screened
- Be professional, maintain confidentiality
- Verify findings, using a microscope if uncertain
- If screening is positive for lice or nits, discuss findings in private (if screening takes place in the classroom, wait until finished and call student to health office.)Be supportive!
- Temporary Dismissal of Student
- Notification of parent
- Student will wait in health or main office until dismissed to parent
- Show parent findings (nits or louse)
- Provide information on lice, treatment and school’s no-nit policy.
- Emphasize the importance of the manual removal of lice andnits and the procedure for the student to return to school (see below).
- Return of student to school
- Student may return to school when free of both lice and eggs (nits)
- Parent will transport student to school and will wait while the school nurse, or principal’s designee, checks the student for lice and/or eggs (nits)
- If lice or nits are found, parent will transport student home for further treatment as indicated. Even if there are no nits or lice present, remind the parent to continue to check daily for two weeks.
- There are practical approaches that include readmitting children whose parents have done an excellent job of nit removal but may have missed a single nit. This nit should be removed immediately, a step that both supports the No Nit Policy and allows the child to return to class.
[Type text][Type text]jra/Nov 13