Dear Parents/Guardians:
A
case of Pediculosis (head lice) has been reported in the High School.
Head lice is a very common problem among school aged children and
their household members. It is important to remember, while head lice
is a nuisance it does not carry disease. Personal hygiene or cleanliness
in the home or school has nothing to do with getting head lice.
The
head louse is a small, multi-legged organism that feeds on human
blood. The color may be gray or brown. The female louse lay eggs, also
known as nits, which are attached to the hair shaft with a cementing
material near the root. The nits appear to be pearly in color and
teardrop in shape. The nits cling to the hair shaft and must be brushed
or scraped off. Head lice do not jump or fly and
generally cannot survive longer than 24 hours off the host.
Head
Lice is most commonly contacted by direct head-to-head contact with a
person who already has an infestation. Less commonly, it can also
be transmitted by sharing personal items such as; combs, brushes,
towels, bedding, hats, hair ties, scarves and coats. Please educate
children about importance of not sharing any personal items.
If
you suspect your child has head lice, please contact the school nurse
immediately. The nurse will inspect the student and the results will
remain confidential. Treatment should ONLY be performed if active head
lice are found in your child’s scalp and treatment should not be applied
as a preventative method. If head lice is suspected or found, your
child’s healthcare provider is the best option
for you to contact to determine the most appropriate treatment for your
child.
Sincerely,
Mrs. Karen Corcoran RN,MS,CSN-NJ
Mrs. Karen Corcoran RN,MS,CSN-NJ