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Head lice is a common problem that affects virtually every school in the country. Head lice is contagious, especially among young school-age children, because it is spread by direct contact or through the sharing of personal items. Head lice are small brown wingless insects no larger than the size of sesame seeds that live and feed on the human scalp. The female louse lays eggs, called nits, on the hair close to the scalp. The nits that look like tiny, whitish-grey ovals that are firmly glued to the hair shafts, usually hatch within two weeks. As the eggs prepare to hatch, they will appear darker in color. If you suspect head lice (your child is itching continuously at the
scalp) check your child's hair closely. Head lice are difficult to locate because they move to avoid light. Nits may be easier to find. They are oftentimes laid behind the ears, at the nape of the neck and/or at the frontal hairline. If nits are found, then your child needs to be treated with medicated shampoos made especially for killing lice and their eggs. If left untreated, they can multiply quickly and spread to others in school or in the family.
If your child is found at school with nits or lice, the nurse will contact you. We encourage you to pick up your child as soon as possible and to arrange for prompt treatment. To help with decreasing the spread of lice in schools, all students in the classrooms of reported cases are checked. Even if your child contracts headlice from camp, daycare, or some other source, it is important to inform your child's school nurse of the condition as we will do a discreet classroom check of all children and of any close contacts (such as siblings) to ensure that lice have not spread to other children.
For more information contact the nurse based at your child's school or:
NIX Lice Line at 1-888- LICE LINE
1-800-RID-LICE
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