WORTHINGTON SCHOOLS

 

PEDICULOSIS PROCEDURE-WORTHINGTON SCHOOLS

Pediculosis or head lice, is a nuisance condition and is not known to transmit infection from person to person.  Current positions of national organizations (The National Association of School Nurses, The American Academy of Pediatrics and the Harvard School of Public Health) recommend that schools eliminate their “No Nit” policy.  In order to maximize academic achievement, school attendance should not be compromised because of a case of head lice.

1.  When a student is found to have an active infestation of pediculosis as defined by presence of live bugs or nits, the parent or guardian will be notified.  The nurse will make a professional judgment regarding exclusion arrangements depending on her assessment of the situation.  The student may remain in the classroom and go home at the end of the day if only nits are found.  Students will be expected to be checked in by the nurse or other trained staff member after appropriate treatment has been received at home. A parent or guardian will be expected to bring the child to school for the readmission check.

2.  Our healthcare staff will educate the parents about head lice treatment and control with verbal and/or written instructions.

3.  Teachers will be notified when a student in the classroom has head lice. A letter will be sent to the children’s parents/guardians of the affected classroom.  The letter will provide recommendations for health care.

4.   Upon readmission to school the student will be checked by the school nurse or trained staff person.  If the student is found to have continued active infestation (live bugs and/or no progress in nit removal) the parent will be instructed to take the student home for further treatment.

5.   Since mass screenings lead to embarrassment, misdiagnosis and unnecessary treatment, the nurse will not routinely screen classmates of the infested student.  

6. If the parent or guardian is not compliant with treatment options and the student misses several days Worthington Schools may choose to implement the following measures;

       a. Conferences

       b. Referral to outside agency for assistance

Please see the following articles for more information:

American Academy of Pediatrics:  

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Head Lice Management

Dealing with head lice can be a most frustrating experience for parents. To make matters worse, head lice have become increasingly resistant to many of the treatments available on the market. It has become very important for families to be vigilant about knowing the signs of infestation and the appropriate ways to manage the problem should you discover your child has head lice. The district nurses have found the following resources to be extremely helpful.

 

 

 

Below is a list of a few simple things parents can do to help prevent their children from getting head lice.

 

 Instructions for what to do when a case of head lice is reported in your student's classroom.

 

 

Eliminating head lice is a nuisance and not all products are 100% effective. The following treatments have been successful for some families who have dealt with lice. These remedies act by smothering the lice and eliminating their ability to lay eggs. Manual nit combing with a “nit comb” is still required to remove all nits and eliminate any possibility of further outbreak. The Worthington School District does not endorse these remedies or products.

 

 

Place mayonnaise on the hair and wrap hair in plastic wrap or a shower cap. Keep covered for 5 hours or longer. Wash mayonnaise out of hair and remove nits with a nit comb. Combing should be repeated daily to ensure all nits are removed from the hair.

 

 

Apply olive oil to hair and use a nit comb to remove nits. Combing should be repeated everyday for 7-10 days to ensure all nits are removed. Make sure to part the hair in sections to make it easier to move the comb through and wipe the comb clean after each pass through with the comb.

 

 

Warm mineral oil slightly and pour over the entire head and scalp. After 10 minutes, shampoo hair and use a nit comb to remove the nits. Repeat this entire procedure every 2 days for 10 days to make sure all nits are eliminated.

 

Queen Helen Cholesterol Hair Conditioning Crème Remedy

Apply crème on hair generously and cover with plastic wrap or shower cap for 3-4 hours. Rinse the crème out and use a nit comb to remove nits from the hair. Follow-up by using a shampoo containing sodium lauryl sulfate; such shampoos include Herbal Essence®, Suave®, and White Rain®. Sodium lauryl sulfate has been noted in prevention of lice infestation.

 

 

RemedyHair Clean® 1-2-3 contains various plant oils, such as coconut, anise, and ylang ylang oil, which aid in removing head lice and nits. However, to ensure long-term success, a second application is recommended 7 days after initial treatment. Make sure to use a nit comb to remove all nits.

 

 

Shampoo with coconut oil or olive oil shampoo. (Rave, St. Ives Swiss or V05) Rinse only with water as hot as child or individual can tolerate. Shampoo again, leaving the lather on the head covered with a towel for 15 minutes. Comb out suds and begin combing hair in sections with a nit comb to remove the nits. Keep hair wet and clean comb often with a tissue. Make sure to clip back clean combed sections of hair to prevent recontamination and flush tissue down the toilet. Wash comb in hot soapy water when done.

Rinse hair when combing is complete in hot water as tolerated. After drying hair check for remaining nits and remove.

After final combing soak comb for 15 minutes in 2 cups of hot soapy water & 1 teaspoon ammonia or boil metal combs for 15 minutes. Comb can be cleaned with floss as well.