Head lice in school is an ongoing issue in schools, however it is not a danger to your child’s health. It is important that parents are aware of how to treat head lice and possible measures to take to prevent them spreading. Please see the information below or visit https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/head-lice-and-nits/

 

Treating Head lice

After a head lice infestation has been confirmed you can treat the lice at home by wet combing the hair with a head lice comb or by using a lotion or spray that’s designed to kill head lice. However, neither will protect against re-infestation if head-to-head contact is made with someone with head lice during the treatment period. Whilst you are treating your child for head lice, they should come into school.

 

Wet Combing

The wet combing method involves removing the head lice by systematically combing the hair using a special fine-toothed comb. 

The comb’s teeth should be spaced 0.2-0.3mm apart. Lice can be crushed or trapped between the teeth of nit combs with a tooth spacing of less than 0.19mm and remain unseen. 

You can buy a fine-toothed comb from your local pharmacy or you can order one online.

Lotions or sprays don’t need to be used for wet combing. However, to be effective, wet combing needs to be carried out regularly and thoroughly. The method you should use is described below.

• Wash the hair using ordinary shampoo and apply plenty of conditioner, before using a wide toothed comb to straighten and untangle the hair.
• Once the comb moves freely through the hair without dragging, switch to the louse detection comb. Make sure the teeth of the comb slot into the hair at the roots, with the bevel-edge of the teeth lightly touching the scalp.
• Draw the comb down to the ends of the hair with every stroke, and check the comb for lice.
• Remove lice by wiping or rinsing the comb.
• Work methodically through the hair, section by section, so that the whole head is combed through.
• Rinse out conditioner and repeat the combing procedure.
• Repeat the procedure on days 3, 6, 9, 12 and 15, so that you clear young lice as they hatch, before they have time to reach maturity.

How long it will take to comb your child’s hair will depend on the type of hair they have and its length. For example, short, straight hair can be quickly prepared and can be fine-toothed combed in a few minutes. Longer, curlier hair will take longer to comb.

 

Lotions or sprays

Using a lotion or spray is an alternative method of treating head lice. However, to be effective they need to be used correctly. Your pharmacist will be able to recommend an over-the-counter lotion or spray and advise you about how to use it correctly.

A lotion or spray should only be used if a living (moving) head louse is found. Crème rinses and shampoos aren’t thought to be effective and therefore aren’t recommended.

Ensure you have enough lotion or spray to treat everyone in your family who’s affected. Use enough to coat the scalp and the length of the hair during each application.

Follow the instructions that come with the lotion or spray when applying it. Depending on the product you’re using, the length of time it will need to be left on the head may vary from 10 minutes to eight hours.

The normal advice is to treat the hair and repeat the treatment after seven days. Some products also supply a comb for removing dead lice and eggs. Some products may be capable of killing eggs as well as lice, although there is no certainty of this. Check for baby lice hatching from eggs three to five days after using a product and again 10-12 days afterwards.

At least two applications of lotion are needed to kill lice over the hatching period because the lotions do not always kill louse eggs.

If the lice appear unaffected by the product, or if the problem persists, seek advice from our school nurse, health visitor, pharmacist or GP.

 

Cautions

Always read the instructions on the pack or leaflet that comes with a head lice treatment, particularly in relation to the following groups:

• young babies (under six months old)
• pregnant women or people with asthma/allergies

If you are still unsure, please seek advice from a healthcare professional before using the product.

Head lice and clothing:

• Healthy head lice don’t deliberately transfer on to clothing, bedding or soft toys.
• Their life span is about three weeks and when they fall from the head they’re dying and unable to breed.
• Hot washing or fumigation isn’t necessary to control head lice.
• Promptly dispose of any lice that fall from the head on to clothing or bedding.

Head lice on combs:

• Inspect brushes and combs that are used during treatment and remove any lice before the next stroke.
• Head lice will die after a day or two if they’re unable to feed on human blood. Be aware that head lice can be flicked from dry hair during vigorous combing. If they land on someone they’ll try to climb up to their head.

 

School Nurse Information

Our School Nurse can be contacted via the school office.