Detection, Treatment, and Prevention

Although head lice are rarely transmitted at school, there are measures you can take to reduce the number of outbreaks in your classroom and at home.

1. Encourage children not to share clothing and hair accessories. This may be difficult, especially since young children equate sharing with friendship. However, they will quickly adopt other means of showing affection and the spread of lice will be slowed.
2. Give each student his or her own plastic bin for school supplies. If possible, provide individual lockers or separate hooks for their clothing.
3. Discourage older children from trying on each other's hats, scarves, and hair accessories in department stores and boutiques. You never know if someone had head lice and tried on that same garment.
4. Encourage children with long hair to keep it tied or braided. This is especially helpful during the months of August to November when the infestation is most likely.
5. Reinforce these messages before vacations and holidays. Children are more likely to spend more time playing with family and friends during this time.
6. Ask your school nurse to hold an information session designed to teach children about head lice.
7. Watch for telltale scratching that might indicate the presence of head lice. If you suspect that a child has head lice, contact the school nurse and parent for immediate treatment.