Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: About Lice CDC: About Lice
All About Lice
Hutto ISD’s lice policy reflects standard practice as recommended by the Center for Disease Control (CDC), American Academy of Pediatrics, the National Association of School Nurses, the Texas Department of State Health Services, the American School Health Association, the Harvard School of Public Health and many others. They all 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, that child’s parent will, of course, be informed. The health office will follow up to make sure the child is treated appropriately and provide additional guidance as necessary.
The health office will check any student reported to possibly have lice. If active lice or nits (eggs) are found, the parent will confidentially be notified. The teacher will be informed immediately, and the child will not use any shared headphones, helmets, hats or clothing. The health office will provide information to the 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 (dirty to gray colored eggs attached to the hair shaft) are visible to the naked eye. Nits which are further than ¼ inch from the scalp are not considered viable because eggs are laid at the scalp and the lifecycle is short, therefore, any remaining nits beyond ¼ inch (hair growth takes time) are empty or dead.
The parent of each child assigned to the same classroom as the child with lice will receive notification via ParentSquare, not later than the fifth school day after the date on which the administrator or nurse, as applicable, determines or becomes aware of the fact.
The campus nurse does not do classroom head checks. Head checks are done on a case by case basis.
Lice are very common. They always exist in children and schools. No school is EVER lice-free, just like no school is free of head colds.
Watch for signs/symptoms of head lice: excessive itching or scratching head especially behind ears and nape of neck.
Check family members for lice and nits/eggs at least once a week.It helps to use natural light and a magnifying glass.
Treat ONLY family members who have lice.Over the counter medications (pediculocides) that kill lice and nits are recommended. Most of these chemicals require 2 treatments 7 -10 days apart.
Use these specialized shampoos exactly as instructed to be most effective. Use product over the sink. Use a washcloth to protect eyes.
Removing all nits (eggs) with a special fine-toothed comb is the most effective way to get rid of all of them.This may be a tedious job.
Wash infested articles that can be laundered at 130F and dried on the hot setting. This includes hats, bedding, pillows and clothing.
Toys, personal articles, bedding, other fabrics, and upholstered furniture that cannot be laundered with hot water and a dryer or dry-cleaned can be kept away from people (in a plastic bag) for two weeks if there is a concern of infestation.
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.
Continue to check head daily for 2-3 weeks after discovery. Removing nits EVERY day for 3 weeks is the MOST effective treatment.
