Download Head Lice Lice outbreaks are common among school children and

Head Lice
Lice outbreaks are common among school children and any child may become infested. It is
crucial for the adult(s) in a child's life to remain calm and matter-of-fact in the process of
clearing up the infestation. This reassures the child so they can view the experience as a
nuisance and that it can be controlled. If you find evidence of lice on your child, please
notify your school nurse immediately. Your school nurse will help you with the procedures
for treatment and will be vigilant with other students in the school setting. Tempe Union
High School District nurses have prepared a checklist for you to use in eradicating lice.
Careful shampooing with a special shampoo called Pediculicide and removal of all "nits" or
eggs is the effective treatment. The school nurse must readmit students that have been
treated. Please call the nurse to make arrangements for re-entry to school. Remember that
although direct head to head contact is the usual method of transmission, kids get head
lice, schools do not. Following treatment, your child is not permitted to ride the bus until
checked by the school nurse.
Instructions and Checklist for Treating Head Lice
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Shampoo hair with lice shampoo. Note if directions say to apply to wet or dry hair
and follow package directions directly as written. Do not apply cream rinse after
using lice shampoo.
Dry your child's hair thoroughly. Under a bright light, remove nits using a nit comb,
fingernails, and/or tweezers. Drape a towel over your child's shoulders and place
newspaper on the floor to catch removed nits. Carefully fold and discard papers
after nit removal and wash the towel immediately.
Check every family member for nits/lice as needed. People who have shared the
child's bed should be treated immediately. For treatment of children under age 5,
please consult a physician.
Machine wash all clothing, bedding and mattress covers used by the child in the last
5 days using hot water.
Place any pillows the child has used into a plastic bag and seal it tightly for 14 days
(2 weeks). A rolled-up towel in a pillow case can be used as a temporary pillow.
Any items that cannot be washed (stuffed animals, hats, headphones, hair
ornaments, etc.) should be sealed for 14 days or dry cleaned. Place sealed items in
direct sunlight, if possible.
All hair items (combs, brushes, etc.) should be discarded or boiled in water for 5-10
minutes.
Vacuum mattresses, carpets, and upholstered furniture thoroughly. Discard the
vacuum bag in outside garbage immediately. Careful vacuuming is crucial to lice
removal and eliminates the need for toxic lice sprays.
Notify any parents of children who have been in close contact with your child
(sleepovers, contact sports, etc.).
Repeat shampooing with head lice product as per the package instructions.