Head lice are common and can affect anyone, regardless of hygiene or living conditions. While they can be inconvenient, they do not pose a health risk.

Notification and Treatment:

• If you discover lice on your child, please notify the school nurse. Students must be treated before returning to school.
• If your child has been identified with head lice during school, we will notify you.
• To maintain student confidentiality, we will not send whole-class notifications if there are fewer than three cases. Parents will be notified if there are three or more confirmed cases in a classroom, or 10% of an identified population, within three weeks.

Prevention:

• Teach your child to avoid head-to-head contact and not to share personal items like hats and combs.
• Conduct weekly head checks for early detection. 

Identifying Head Lice:

• Look for small (about the size of a sesame seed), dark or gray insects, or their eggs (nits), which are tiny, shiny, and firmly attached to hair. Nits can be easier to spot than lice, especially in good light.

Treatment Options:

• Over-the-counter lice shampoos are available, and prescription options can be provided by your healthcare provider. Follow all instructions carefully, as multiple applications may be necessary.
• Consider using a metal nit comb for effective removal or seek assistance from local lice removal clinics if needed.
• If lice are found, check all family members daily for two weeks, treating only those with evidence of infestation.

Resources:

Seattle Children's Hospital - Head Lice

CDC- About Head Lice

CDC- Head Lice Treatment

American Academy of Dermatology -Head Lice Diagnosis and Treatment.