Although head lice may not be the most exciting topic to chat about, they certainly are a nuisance, and a number of parents have asked for more information about head lice.
As per Alberta Health Services direction, we do NOT send out notices about occurrences of head lice in the school, but we do encourage parents to check their children for lice on a somewhat regular basis throughout the year.
We do not send the notes home any longer saying that head lice are in a class or the school. At school we do try to take precautions to reduce the likelihood of transmission of head lice, but unfortunately cannot ensure that it does not happen.
Steps to Help Keep Head Lice and Their Eggs Out of Your Child’s Hair:
Watch for signs of head lice, such as frequent head scratching. Anyone can get head lice... mainly by head-to-head
contact but also from sharing hats, brushes and headrests. Lice do not jump or fly.
Check all family members for lice and nits (lice eggs) at least once a week. Only those infested should be treated.
Lice are reddish-brown wingless insects, nits are grayish-white, always oval shaped, and are glued at an angle to the
side of the hair shaft.
Be sure not to confuse nits with hair debris such as bright irregularly shaped clumps of dandruff stuck to the hair shaft
or elongated segments of dandruff encircling the hair shaft and easily dislodged. Lice treatment is inappropriate for
hair debris.
Consult your pharmacist or physician before applying or using lice treatment pesticides when the person involved is
pregnant, nursing, has allergies, asthma, epilepsy, has pre-existing medical conditions, or has lice or nits in the
eyebrows or eyelashes. Never use a pesticide on or near the eyes.
Remember, all lice-killing products are pesticides. If you choose to purchase an over-the-counter treatment, follow
the directions carefully and use with caution. If the product fails, do not switch to other over-the-counter treatments or
use any prescription products as a “last resort”. This can be potentially harmful. Manual removal is the safe
alternative and a necessary component to any head lice treatment regimen.
Follow package directions carefully. Use the product over the sink, not in the tub or shower. Always keep the eyes
covered.
Remove all nits. This assures total lice treatment. Separate hair in sections and remove all attached nits with a
comb, baby safety scissors, or your fingernails.
Wash bedding and recently worn clothing in hot water and dry in a hot dryer. Combs and brushes may be soaked in
hot water (not boiling) for 10 minutes.
Avoid lice sprays! Vacuuming is the safest and best way to remove lice or fallen hairs with attached nits from
upholstered furniture, rugs, stuffed animals and car seats.