Elementary Schools

• Please notify the school nurse about head lice 
• Checking all household members and other close contacts at least once a week.
• Use a large magnifying glass and a bright light to help you see. 
• Itching, especially around the ears and back of the neck is the most common sign of head lice.
• If there is evidence of active infestation, all members must be treated at the same time.
• After treatment, it is important to comb out all the nits with a special nit comb for several days.
• Students cannot return to school until they have been treated. Remember to retreat in 7-10 days.
• There are new, safer prescription treatments available.
• Talk to your doctor or pharmacist to get appropriate care.
• Resistance to some head lice treatments have been reported.
• If your child has live lice after two treatments, contact your doctor for a different form of therapy.
• There is no scientific evidence that home remedies are effective treatments.
• Bed linens, blankets, and recently worn clothes must be washed in very hot water.
• Vacuum furniture, mattresses, pillows, and carpets.
• Remind your child to keep their head from touching others when playing, hugging, whispering, and any other way their head may get close to someone else.

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• From EGG to NYMPH (small adult) to LOUSE (fully grown adult).
• Lice are wingless insects that live on the human scalp and feed on human blood, so they don't live long off the head.
• They cannot fly or jump. They are crawling creatures.
• Live head lice that fall on a desk or floor at school will not be alive the next day.
• The eggs (or nits) are tiny teardrop shaped and are found near the scalp.
• Nits cannot be caught by another person. A nit is only an egg. 
• Unlike dandruff, they are yellowish-brown in color and difficult to remove.

• Not using enough head lice product
• Not following up with a second application
• Not removing all nits
• Not adequately cleaning the home environment