Head Lice
How are head lice spread?
Head lice are spread by head-to-head contact with another person who has head lice eggs, when doing group work at school, playing or hugging. Head lice can run from one head to another in seconds. Brushes and combs are unlikely to transfer head lice and do not transfer viable eggs, as these are hard to detach from the hair shaft. Head lice are not spread through bed linen, clothing or hats as they do not leave the scalp unless they are dead or dying. Eggs (nits) do not fall off until weeks after they have hatched as the egg shells are glued tightly to the hair shaft.
What are the signs of head lice?
The scalp may itch as the skin reacts to the saliva of the head lice. Itchiness can take weeks to develop. Crawling head lice may be seen in the hair, but they can move at a rate of 30cm a minute and can be difficult to spot. Head lice can quickly run and hide from searching hands. Adult lice are usually dark brown and about 2 to 3mm long. Eggs (nits) may be seen attached to the hair shaft but they may be very tiny and hard to see, especially newly-laid eggs close to the scalp. Nits are grey-white and about the size of a grain of salt.
How do I look for head lice?
Carefully comb plenty of hair conditioner through the dry hair, then comb again in sections with a fine tooth comb (nit comb). The hair conditioner slows the head lice down so they can be trapped in the comb. Wipe the combings on a white tissue. Check behind the ears and at the nape of the neck.
What do I do if I find head lice?
Check all family members to see if anyone else has head lice.
Select a treatment - check the Department of Health's website.
Inform the school and any other close contacts that your child has head lice.
When treatment is completed, with all head lice and eggs removed, check the hair regularly for further head lice infestation.
What will the school do if head lice are found?
Notify the parents of the child with head lice via letter at the end of the day.
Treatment must be commenced and all live head lice removed before the child is permitted to return to school. Confirmation of treatment needs to be in writing to the child’s teacher.
When the child returns to school a section of the letter needs to be completed and returned to the childs teacher.
Under the School Education Act 1999, the Principal may exclude a child with head lice from school until treatment has commenced.
Prevention
Check hair regularly
Tie long hair back/place in braids
Apply hair gel or mousse to keep stray hair strands from contact with other heads
Avoid head-to-head contact with other children
Hair Styles
students with long hair should wear it tied back, braided and/or pinned
wearing of cotton bandanas, e.g. Canteen fundraising bandanas, may be permitted by approval from the principal as part of a management strategy for headlice for up to two weeks