How Common is Head Lice in Schools?

If you’re worried that your child might have head lice, you may want to get them treated immediately. You can use hot water and an iron to kill the lice and nits. However, this method may not work for every child, and it may take several treatments to get rid of head lice for good. It’s also important to get all household members tested for lice.

Notification letters mentioning the presence of lice can cause panic. Some parents will treat their children prophylactically or presumptively. To prevent this, send informational letters to the parents at the start of the school year. Include links to useful resources and explain the situation in perspective.

The most effective method of treatment is a treatment that kills the crawling lice. A successful treatment should eliminate all crawling lice and the nits. However, there are cases where the lice come back after the treatment. These children can return to school once they are properly treated. If the school nurses or health aides notice live lice, they may send the child home for treatment.

The CDC, the National Association of School Nurses, and the American Academy of Pediatrics have updated guidelines for treating head lice. While a child should not attend school until the lice have been treated, it’s important to keep all items touching their head clean. This will prevent the spread of lice from one child to another. Using special shampoos and combs can help get rid of the lice.