Discovering head lice can be unsettling for parents, often leading to immediate questions about school attendance. Head lice are tiny insects living on human hair, feeding on small amounts of blood from the scalp. These infestations are common, particularly among school-aged children, and are manageable. Head lice do not transmit diseases, making them a social and personal concern rather than a public health threat.
Understanding School Policies
A child’s ability to attend school with head lice depends on the school’s specific policy, which varies significantly. Historically, many schools implemented “no-nit” policies, requiring children to be completely free of nits (lice eggs) before returning to class. This approach aimed to prevent further spread.
However, public health organizations, including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), no longer recommend “no-nit” policies. They argue that excluding children for nits, which are not transmissible, leads to unnecessary absenteeism and negatively impacts a child’s education. Nits alone do not indicate an active infestation.
A shift towards “lice exclusion” or “head check” policies is becoming more common. Children may return to school after initial treatment, even if some nits remain. These policies focus on ensuring no live lice are present, as live lice are the primary means of transmission through direct head-to-head contact. Parents should contact their child’s school to understand the specific guidelines.
Identifying and Treating Lice
Confirming a head lice infestation involves looking for lice, their eggs (nits), or immature lice called nymphs. Adult head lice are about the size of a sesame seed, tan or grayish-white, and move quickly. Nymphs are smaller versions of adult lice.
Nits are tiny, oval-shaped eggs, firmly attached to the hair shaft near the scalp. Nits are often mistaken for dandruff but cannot be easily flicked off. An itchy scalp, an allergic reaction to louse saliva, is a common sign, though itching may not begin immediately.
Treatment typically involves over-the-counter (OTC) or prescription medicated shampoos or lotions. Common OTC treatments contain ingredients like permethrin or pyrethrin. Follow product instructions carefully, including application time and whether a second treatment is necessary, usually 7 to 10 days later, to kill newly hatched nymphs. A second application is often needed as some products may not kill all nits.
Manual removal of nits with a fine-toothed nit comb is a critical part of the treatment process. This involves dividing hair into small sections and systematically combing from the scalp to the ends, wiping the comb clean after each pass. This meticulous combing removes both live lice and nits, which are cemented to the hair shaft and difficult to dislodge.
Preventing Future Infestations
Preventing future head lice infestations involves minimizing head-to-head contact, the most common way lice spread. Children should avoid close physical contact during play, sports, or other activities where heads might touch. Sharing personal items that contact the head, such as hats, scarves, combs, brushes, and hair accessories, should also be avoided.
Regularly checking all family members for lice, especially those with close contact to an infested individual, helps detect new infestations early. If an infestation is found, treat all infested individuals in the household simultaneously to prevent re-infestation. Good hygiene does not prevent head lice, as lice infest clean or unwashed hair equally. Cleaning infested items, such as washing clothing and bedding in hot water and drying on high heat, or vacuuming furniture, can reduce spread, though lice cannot survive long off a human host.