Head Lice Treatment

If your child has contracted head lice, your child may not return to school until the hair has been treated with a (pediculicide) - shampoo, lotion, or rinse. PRIOR TO READMISSION TO CLASS, YOUR CHILD MUST BE CHECKED BY THE SCHOOL NURSE, AND BE FOUND TO BE FREE OF INFESTATION - LIVE LICE AND /OR NITS (EGGS). Proof of use of a product should be presented at the time of recheck. Your child may return to school as soon as all nits and bugs have been removed from the head. Under normal circumstances, three legal days of absence are allowed for treatment and removal of nits, but children who experience repeated infestations will only be allowed one legal day of absence for each repeat infestation.

There are many products available for the treatment of head lice. Check with your pharmacist or physician if you need help in deciding which product to use. Products containing lindane are discouraged. Whatever product is used, please follow the directions on the container, or the specific instructions given by your physician.

Since no product can guarantee 100 percent effectiveness in killing all the eggs, and due to some problems with a possible resistance of lice to the products, ALL NITS MUST BE REMOVED FROM THE HAIR. Use of a metal fine tooth comb and a good light will help with egg removal. If this is not completely effective, eggs may have to be removed with tweezers or your fingernails.

You should check every member of your family and treat only those who show signs of infestation. Siblings of affected students attending other schools will be checked upon notification of a problem by school officials.

FOLLOWING TREATMENT THE STUDENT MUST BE BROUGHT TO SCHOOL BY THE PARENT, OR DESIGNATED ADULT, WHERE HE/SHE WILL BE RECHECKED BY THE NURSE, OR PERSON DESIGNATED BY THE NURSE, PRIOR TO RE-ENTERING THE CLASSROOM. Please bring the attached checklist with you at that time.

IMPORTANT: The school nurse is assigned to more than one school, therefore it is important to contact her to set up an appointment for your child to be rechecked when she is at your child's school.

Head Lice Checklist