It is important to remember that while lice are a nuisance, they are NOT a serious medical condition. Most individuals have had head lice 3 weeks by the time they (or a parent) realizes they have head lice. Once you have identified lice or nits on your child and treated your child, please notify the nurse at school. It is also important to notify the parents of your child’s friends – so that it can be detected early and treated.
Peak infestations commonly occur throughout the U.S. during the summer and back to school times. They are mostly spread by direct head to head contact- for example playing with friends, slumber parties, sports activities, or camp.
While head lice are not considered an infectious disease, spread primarily occurs through close head to head contact or secondarily through trying on and/or sharing of personal items such as headphones, hats, helmets, pillows, brushes/combs, and personal hair items such as bows, bandanas, etc. Signs of head lice to observe for include excessive scratching, whitish flecks on the hair- that do not flick away, and after a couple weeks-evidence of lice crawling in the hair. If you find lice or nits, discuss with your doctor or local pharmacist regarding available products to treat lice. Lice are “equal opportunity” insects that are commonly found in children due to their close contact with each other.
Lice are not an indication of poor hygiene and they do not spread disease. They do not fly or jump, but crawl at high speed. Once laid, it takes 7-10 days for a nit to hatch, and another 7-10 days for the female to mature and begin laying her own eggs. Head lice live for approximately 30 days on a host and a female louse may lay up to 100 nits (eggs).
Thanks so much!
Mrs. Debi Sakalas, RN