Head lice are a common problem in school age children. While head lice is a nuisance, it does not pose a significant health hazard and is not known to spread disease. Head lice can be acquired anywhere. Once discovered, the infestation usually has been present for weeks or months.

 

One of the most challenging aspects of head lice is the reaction of others in the community, family, and school personnel. Commonly those reactions are fear, anger, frustration, and blaming of others. This overreaction can lead to teasing or alienation of the child and inappropriate management of the head lice, both of which could be potentially harmful.   

 

The Centers for Disease Control, the American Academy of Pediatrics, and the National Association of School Nurses all recommend that students should not be excluded from school for having nits or live lice and that the management of head lice should not disrupt a student’s educational process. The American Academy of Pediatrics further recommends that since a child with an active head lice infestation has likely had the infestation for a month or more by the time it is discovered, poses little risk to others, and does not have a resulting health problem.  The student should remain in class with a few exceptions at the nurse's discretion.  All students should be discouraged from close or direct head to head contact (games, whispering, sleeping, etc).  If a child is assessed as having head lice, confidentiality must be maintained so the child is not embarrassed.  The child’s parent or guardian should be notified that day and educated on the prompt, proper treatment of head lice.

The Texas Department of State Health Services recommends the following treatment for head lice and their eggs: