Information in English | Information in Spanish
Head lice infestations are an on-going problem in our schools. To limit
this problem a proactive approach is needed to reduce the impact of
head lice on our community. By developing a partnership between parents
and school personnel, with the intent of stamping out head lice, we
can win the war against these tenacious parasites. Parent volunteers'
'who assist the community at school by performing head lice checks are
a valuable asset, without whose help the head lice problem could persist
un-checked.
What to look for:
Lice are small insects about the size of a sesame seed. They are usually
light brown but can vary in color. They move quickly and shy away from
the light, making them difficult to see. Diagnosis is more often made
on the basis of finding nits (eggs). Nits are tiny, yellowish-white
oval eggs attached to the hair shafts. Note: The old quarter-inch from
the scalp rule has given way to new evidence suggesting that viable
(live) nits may be found at any distance from the scalp. As she deposits
her eggs (3-5 per day), the female louse cements them to the hairs,
and unlike lint or dandruff, hey will not wash off or blow away. Hair-casts
are often mistaken for lice eggs (NPA1992).
|
Nits may be found throughout the hair but are
most often located:
At the nape of the neck Behind the ears At the Crown |
A magnifying glass and natural light may help when looking for nits.
Distinguishing between dead nits and live nits is non-productive since the presence of ten dead nits does not guarantee that the eleventh will not be viable!
Performing the head-check:
Head checks are best performed in a well-lit area (natural light is the best). It is also good to remember that we are looking to limit an infectious agent (lice) without stigmatizing or otherwise embarrassing the children infested.
For efficiency line the children up into rows, one for each volunteer (four volunteers per classroom will greatly expedite the process.
- Volunteers will wear disposable latex gloves and use disposable
wooden inspection sticks.
- A lighted magnifying glass should be handy for a closer look at
a suspect object.
- Leaf through the hair with the sticks starting at the crown of the
head with the intention of getting a good look at the scalp and region
of the hair near the scalp.
- Work your way to around the ears and then to the back of the neck.
- If you find a suspect object on the hair try to move it with your
gloved fingers. If it does not move it is most likely a nit. The magnifying
glass may come in handy in questionable situations.
- Use a new inspection stick with each inspected child, change gloves
only after using them to touch a child's hair. The aim is to prevent
the inadvertent transfer of a louse or other pathogen to another child
or inspector.