A Message from the Health Office

An update from the ISD #47 Nursing Team...

There have been some identified cases of head lice within our
schools. Because lice spreads through close contact and the sharing
of personal items such as hats, combs, pillows and headphones,
vigilant monitoring of all children will aid in the control of this
troublesome, contagious problem.

What to look for:
♦ Itching of the scalp that does not go away.
♦ Scratch marks on the scalp or back of the neck near the
hairline.
♦ Lice appear as small, brownish insects and are usually found
on or near the scalp, behind the ears and just above the hairline
at the nape of the neck.
♦ Eggs (nits) are small, greyish-white colored egg cases that are
firmly attached to individual hair shafts usually close to the
scalp. Nits may be mistaken for dandruff. Unlike dandruff, nits
can’t be brushed off or removed with normal shampooing. If
only the nits are noticed, there is a lice problem and
treatment and removal of all nits is necessary.
♦ Parents are strongly urged to observe and check their children’s
hair and scalp on a routine basis (every 1 to 2 weeks).

Treatment:
Successful treatment consists of not only treating the hair of an
infected individual but proper treatment of the household
environment.

For the hair: Treatment consists of obtaining a special shampoo
(prescription or over-the-counter). It is first
recommended to use an abrasive shampoo
(one without conditioner), rinse and towel dry the
hair thoroughly before using the lice control
shampoo. Follow product directions carefully. Nit
removal is recommended for proper head lice
management and is the most effective way to
ensure that your child is free of head lice.
Re-shampooing the hair is required one week
after the initial treatment.

Household: Launder all bedding articles (including pillows),
towels, clothing, hats, etc. Hot water is best.
Thoroughly vacuum all carpets and furniture. Clean
and disinfect all brushes and combs. Non-washable
items such as stuffed animals may dry cleaned or
placed in plastic bags for a period of 2 weeks.
Continue to closely monitor your child’s hair and scalp. Your medical
provider or the school nurse can be contacted with additional
questions or concerns.
Coping with the challenges of head lice can be frustrating for all
members of a household. Be assured that this problem will
eventually be resolved!

Thank you,
ISD #47 Nursing Staff
(320) 258-1729