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Head Lice

Head Lice

Information for families about Hutto ISD’s head lice procedures, what schools do when lice are reported, and how families can manage head lice at home.

Hutto ISD’s lice policy reflects standard practice recommended by public health and school health organizations. Students with eggs and/or head lice remain in school and are not excluded immediately.

All About Lice

Hutto ISD’s lice policy reflects standard practice as recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, American Academy of Pediatrics, National Association of School Nurses, Texas Department of State Health Services, American School Health Association, Harvard School of Public Health and many others.

These organizations recommend that students with eggs and/or head lice remain in school and not be excluded immediately. When lice is found on a child at school, the child’s parent will be informed. The health office will follow up to make sure the child is treated appropriately and provide additional guidance as necessary.

What Will the School Do?

  • The health office will check any student reported to possibly have lice.
  • If active lice or nits are found, the parent will be confidentially notified.
  • The teacher will be informed immediately, and the child will not use shared headphones, helmets, hats or clothing.
  • The health office will provide information to parents about proper treatment.
  • An infestation will be determined by looking closely through the hair and scalp for viable nits or live lice.
  • Lice and nits are visible to the naked eye. Nits more than 1/4 inch from the scalp are not considered viable.
  • The parent of each child assigned to the same classroom as the child with lice will receive notification through ParentSquare no later than the fifth school day after the administrator or nurse becomes aware.
  • The campus nurse does not do classroom head checks. Head checks are done on a case-by-case basis.

Staying Ahead of Head Lice

  1. Watch for signs and symptoms of head lice, including excessive itching or scratching, especially behind the ears and at the nape of the neck.
  2. Check family members for lice and nits at least once a week. Natural light and a magnifying glass may help.
  3. Treat only family members who have lice. Over-the-counter medications that kill lice and nits are recommended. Most require two treatments, 7-10 days apart.
  4. Use specialized shampoos exactly as instructed. Use the product over the sink and use a washcloth to protect the eyes.
  5. Remove all nits with a special fine-toothed comb. This may be tedious, but it is one of the most effective steps.
  6. Wash infested articles that can be laundered at 130°F and dried on the hot setting, including hats, bedding, pillows and clothing.
  7. Items that cannot be laundered or dry-cleaned can be kept away from people in a plastic bag for two weeks if there is concern of infestation.
  8. Head lice can live for 1-2 days away from the scalp. Chemical treatment of the environment is not necessary. Vacuum floors, carpets, mattresses and furniture.
  9. Continue checking the head daily for 2-3 weeks after discovery. Removing nits every day for three weeks is the most effective treatment.

Helpful Resources

Texas DSHS: Managing Head Lice AAP: Head Lice CDC: About Head Lice

Related Health Condition Resources

Health Condition Information Influenza Pink Eye Strep Throat Campus Nurse Directory