As many as 12 million children a year are affected by head lice. Lice do not
transmit infections and do not endanger a person's health, but they are a
nuisance. NBCS follows policies recommended by the American Academy of
Pediatrics and the New Hampshire Office of School Health in its approach to
screening students and recommending treatment for head lice.
In any child found to have head lice, district employees ensure student
confidentiality to avoid embarrassment to the child.
Head lice are spread by direct contact with the hair of an infested
individual. Head lice move by crawling; they cannot hop, leap, or fly. Pets
cannot spread head lice. Personal hygiene or cleanliness in the
home or school has nothing to do with getting head lice.
Please watch your child for the following symptoms:
- The most common sign of an infestation is constant itching of the
scalp.
- Inspect your child's head for the possibility of head lice. Look
for nits(lice eggs): small whitish ovals fixed to the hair shaft, similar in
appearance to dandruff, but not easily removed, and usually found within 1⁄4
inch of the scalp, especially behind the ears and around the back of the neck.
- Where nits have hatched, live lice may be seen. Lice are six-legged
and oval in shape, light brown, and no larger than a sesame seed.
- If, upon inspection, you suspect that your child might have either
nits or lice, it is strongly recommended that you discuss treatment with your
healthcare provider. If you are not sure if your child has head lice, the
diagnosis should be made by your health care provider.
The use of lice shampoos without evidence of lice or nits will not prevent
your child from getting lice.
During the school year, it is a good idea to check you child's head weekly, as
well as whenever he or she complains of having an itchy scalp. Talk to your
child and remind him or her not to share or borrow combs, brushes, hats or
scarves.
Please call the school nurse if you have questions. We would also appreciate a
call to the school to let us know if you have treated your child for lice so
we can monitor the situation.
Thank you in advance for your efforts.
Sources for more information about head lice:
Centers for Disease Control
http://www.cdc.gov/parasites/lice/head/index.html
NH Dept of Education Head Lice Info Page
http://www.education.nh.gov/instruction/school_health/faq_pediculosis.htm
American Academy of Pediatrics
http://pediatrics.aappublications.org/content/126/2/392.full.pdf+html?sid=19a7add2-5eec-44c0-a55a-ff288ad9bb38