Email the nurse:  kaiello@melrose.mec.edu

What You Should Know About Lice

What should you do if your child comes home with head lice?Don’t panic!Anyone—adult or child—can get head lice (pediculosis).  Lice infestation has nothing to do with cleanliness and does not reflect poorly on you as a parent.  Lice are tiny, wingless insects about the size of a sesame seed that can live only on the human scalp (and in severe infestations in eyebrows or eyelashes).  They do not live on pets, they do not jump or fly, and are spread only by crawling from person to person directly or onto shared personal items such as combs, brushes, hats, towels, bedding and clothing.  They live by sucking blood and can live off of the head for 6-20 hours.  A louse’s life span is about 30 days and females will lay about 6 eggs (called nits) per day.  Until a person with head lice is treated he or she can transmit them to others.

Usually, the first indication of a lice problem is itching although it may take as long as two to three weeks of infestation for a person to notice the intense itch.Scratching at the back of the head or around the ears should be a signal to inspect your child’s head thoroughly.  Since head lice do not like the light, you may only see their eggs which are small, whitish ovals attached firmly to the hair shaft and are not easily removed.  Check every member of the family.  If you suspect that your child has lice, ask your physician to diagnose the problem and recommend appropriate treatment.

To get rid of head lice, you may choose to use a medicine that your health care provider prescribes or recommends.  Read and follow package directions carefully as all lice-killing products are pesticides and must be used with caution. None of the available treatment products are 100% effective against nits; therefore, after appropriate treatment, use a nit comb to remove all nits.It is a time-consuming process, but thorough nit removal will reduce or eliminate the need for additional treatments.  Check for nits daily for the next 2 weeks, and repeat the treatment if any newly hatched lice are present.  Check all household members and any close contacts.  Only those who are infested should be treated, but they should be treated at the same time so that they won’t re-infest each other.

You will also need to clean personal items and surroundings.  Soak combs and brushes in hot (130 degree) water for at least 10 minutes.Wash recently worn clothes (including scarves, hats, and fabric headbands), bed linens and towels in hot water and dry on the hot cycle for at least 20 minutes  Pillows and stuffed animals should also be placed in a hot dryer for 20 minutes.  Items that are not machine-washable must be dry cleaned or stored at room temperature in an airtight plastic bag for at least 2 weeks.  Headphones and helmets should be similarly bagged and stored.  Vacuum carpets, pillows, mattresses, upholstered furniture, and car seats to ensure that the rest of the house is louse-free.

It is important to notify the school if your child has lice. While you may feel some embarrassment, there is no need to!Infested children are treated with the utmost sensitivity and confidentiality, but it is important to safeguard uninfected children as well. Children are allowed to return to school once they have been treated and all nits have been removed, and you have cleaned or stored personal items. Check your children regularly for head lice.This is the best way to protect your family and your community.

Remember the best defense against illness is thorough and frequent hand washing with soap and warm water!	Get the Buzz on Scuzz -- learn how and when to wash your hands
	Required immunizations All students must present evidence of immunizations in compliance with the requirements of Mass. General laws, Ch. 76, Sec. 1, which specifically prohibits admitting a student to school without a physician's certificate showing that the child has been successfully immunized against Measles/Mumps/Rubella, Polio, Hepatitis B, Diptheria/Tetanus/Pertussis, Haemophilus Influenza type B (HIB), and Varicella, unless religious or medical exemptions apply. Children who are not fully immunized against these vaccine-preventable illnesses are not allowed to attend school.  A physical exam with lead screening is required upon entering Kindergarten. **Requirements subject to change
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