HEAD LICE
INFORMATION FOR SCHOOLS
AND CHILD CARE FACILITIES
September 2014
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Ottawa Public Health – Lice Module September 2014
HEAD LICE
Head lice can best be controlled through the collaboration of parents, school personnel, community
groups, child care providers, health professionals and Ottawa Public Health.
Parents have the responsibility to check their children's hair weekly and to provide adequate treatment
if head lice are found. If their child has head lice they should notify all possible contacts so that they can
be checked and treated if necessary.
Schools and child care facilities have a responsibility to let parents know if their child is suspected of
having head lice or if someone in the class or group has head lice. They can provide parents with a
Head Lice Fact Sheet that has been prepared by Ottawa Public Health and available in multiple
languages..
Ottawa Public Health’s responsibility is to provide education and counselling about head lice. Public
health nurses can provide information, consultation and training to parents, volunteers, school and child
care staff. You can contact a public health nurse by calling the School Health Intake Line at 580-6744
ext. 24242.
Ottawa Public Health has developed the following documents to help schools, child care facilities and
parents deal with head lice sensitively and with confidence. The Head Lice Fact Sheet prepared by
Ottawa Public health reflects the Canadian Paediatric Society’s position on the management of head
lice. This information sheet is available in French, Arabic, Chinese, Somali, Vietnamese and Punjabi.
Copies of these information sheets are included in this document. In addition we have included the
following notices:



Withdrawal Notice For Head Lice
Notice to Parents About Head Lice
Follow-up Notice to Parents About Head Lice
The Head Lice Fact Sheet and these notices may be photocopied and used in your communications
with parents. The Head Lice Treatment Decision Aid can assist in deciding what course of action to
take.
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Ottawa Public Health – Lice Module September 2014
Suggested Protocol for the Management of Head Lice
in Schools and Child Care Facilities
A.
B.
Dissemination of Information
1.
The Head Lice Fact Sheet can be distributed at parent information sessions or
incorporated in a school newsletter or handbook, provided the source is acknowledged.
2.
A nine minute video “Head to Head with Lice” is available from School Health Intake
Line at 613-580-6744, ext. 24242. This video provides clear and simple information
about identifying and treating head lice and is appropriate for use in the classroom as well
as with staff and parents.
Managing Head Lice
1.
Schools and child care facilities can use volunteers who are trained to check for head lice.
This system can be put in place when large numbers of children need to be checked.
Workshops to train volunteers can be given by a public health nurse.
2.
If a child is found with nits or head lice, it is possible that his or her close contacts may
also have head lice. Therefore:
a) Examine classmates, siblings, bus contacts and closest friends (notify other schools
and child care facilities as necessary).
b) If a sibling or friend is found to have head lice, check his or her classmates and close
contacts.
It is important that children who are absent at the time of the initial screening are checked
when they return to school or the child care facility. An untreated source among close
contacts is a common reason for getting head lice again. All contacts must be checked
and, if infested, must receive treatment at the same time.
3.
When a child is found to have head lice, he or she may remain at school until the end
of the day. Close physical contact with other children should be discouraged until he or
she has been treated. Children with head lice should not participate in activities where
children's heads would touch. It is essential to handle the situation sensitively and to
minimize any embarrassment to the child.
When the child returns home at the end of the day the principal or director should send
home the Withdrawal Notice For Head Lice along with the Head Lice Fact Sheet.
The first treatment should be given that evening.
4.
In a class where a case of head lice has been found the principal or director should send
home the Notice to Parents About Head Lice and the Head Lice Fact Sheet. This will
remind parents to check their child's hair. Efforts should be made to avoid overreaction
by parents and subsequent unnecessary treatment of children who do not have lice.
However, if head lice are found, all family and close contacts must be checked and
treated if infested.
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Ottawa Public Health – Lice Module September 2014
C.
5.
When no new cases of head lice are being found the principal or director should send
home the Follow-up Notice to Parents About Head Lice.
6.
The principal or director can refer parents who are having problems with treatment or
who want more information to call Ottawa Public Health at 613-580-6744 to speak with a
public health nurse.
Readmission to School or the Child Care Facility Following Head Lice Infestation
1. Return of the child to school or the child care facility is at the discretion of the principal or
director.
2. Confirm that proper treatment was given. A prescription is not needed. Products with
permethrin (Nix or Kwellada-P) or pyrethrins, (R&C) are proven effective when used as
directed. A pharmacist can help with selecting a product.
All head lice products require a second treatment 7 - 10 days after the first. Check to see that
the parent or guardian has completed and signed the Notice Of Head Lice Treatment sections
of the Withdrawal Notice For Head Lice form after each treatment. Daily nit removal is key
after each treatment. Removing the nits after treatment makes it easier to see a new infestation
and is an essential step to getting rid of the head lice. It may also be important for the child’s
appearance. Children may return to school or child care facility after the first treatment even if
nits still remain in their hair.
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Ottawa Public Health – Lice Module September 2014
NOTICE TO PARENTS ABOUT HEADLICE
Dear Parent or Guardian:
Your child may have come in contact with someone who has head lice. To help control the spread of
head lice, please read the attached Head Lice Fact Sheet prepared by Ottawa Public Health and check
your child's hair for lice or nits today.
Sincerely,
Principal/Director/Delegate
Date
__________________________________________
School or Child Care Facility
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NOTICE TO PARENTS ABOUT HEAD LICE
Dear Parent or Guardian:
Your child may have come in contact with someone who has head lice. To help control the spread of
head lice, please read the attached Head Lice Fact Sheet prepared by Ottawa Public Health and check
your child's hair for lice or nits today.
Sincerely,
Principal/Director/Delegate
Date
__________________________________________
School or Child Care Facility
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NOTICE TO PARENTS ABOUT HEAD LICE
Dear Parent or Guardian:
Your child may have come in contact with someone who has head lice. To help control the spread of
head lice, please read the attached Head Lice Fact Sheet prepared by Ottawa Public Health and check
your child's hair for lice or nits today.
Sincerely,
Principal/Director/Delegate
Date
__________________________________________
School or Child Care Facility
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Ottawa Public Health – Lice Module September 2014
WITHDRAWAL NOTICE FOR HEAD LICE
Name of School or Child Care Facility:
Date:
Name of Child:
Grade :
To: Parent or Guardian
An inspection of your child's hair today showed that he or she has
[ ] nits (eggs)
[ ] head lice
Your child must be excluded from school or the child care facility until treatment has been given using a
product that kills head lice, available from a pharmacy.
Having nits or head lice is not a serious problem, but it does require that treatment be given immediately and
repeated once more in 7-10 days. Your child may return to school or the child care facility after the first
treatment.
Check the heads of all household members. Those who have head lice should be treated at the same time.
Please read and carefully follow the instructions on the attached Head Lice Fact Sheet prepared by
Ottawa Public Health.
_________________________________
Principal/Director/Delegate
Please complete these sections and have your child return them
to the school or child care facility after each treatment .
NOTICE OF HEAD LICE TREATMENT #2 (7-10 days after treatment #1)
I have applied ______________________ to the hair of ____________________________________
(name of product)
(child’s name)
class of_____________________________________ on ___________________________________
(teacher’s name)
(date)
___________________________________________
Signature of Parent or Guardian
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------NOTICE OF HEAD LICE TREATMENT #1
I have applied ______________________ to the hair of ____________________________________
(name of product)
(child’s name)
class of_____________________________________ on ___________________________________
(teacher’s name)
(date)
___________________________________________
Signature of Parent or Guardian
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Ottawa Public Health – Lice Module September 2014
FOLLOW-UP NOTICE TO PARENTS
ABOUT HEAD LICE
Date:
Dear Parent or Guardian:
We are pleased to report that the head lice situation is under control. To date we have no new cases.
Your cooperation in checking your children’s hair for head lice weekly is appreciated. If head lice are
found, please notify the school or child care facility immediately. These actions are very important for
the control of head lice. If you have any questions, please call the school or the child care facility.
Thank you for your support.
Principal/Director/Delegate
______________________________
School or Child Care Facility
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------FOLLOW-UP NOTICE TO PARENTS
ABOUT HEAD LICE
Date:
Dear Parent or Guardian:
We are pleased to report that the head lice situation is under control. To date we have no new cases.
Your cooperation in checking your children’s hair for head lice weekly is appreciated. If head lice are
found, please notify the school or child care facility immediately. These actions are very important for
the control of head lice. If you have any questions, please call the school or the child care facility.
Thank you for your support.
Principal/Director/Delegate
______________________________
School or Child Care Facility
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Ottawa Public Health – Lice Module September 2014
Head Lice Fact Sheet
Head lice are small insects that live on the scalp, cause itching and spread by head to head contact. They
do not spread disease and anyone can get them. They are more common in children as their heads often
touch when they play together. They may also be spread through objects like scarves, brushes, head
phones, hats and helmets. Do not send a child with head lice to a school or child care facility until he
or she has had the first of the 2 required treatments.
What to look for:
Head lice:
 Tiny wingless insects
 Crawl and DO NOT JUMP or FLY
 Size of a sesame seed and can be difficult to see.
 Greyish-brown in colour
Nits (eggs of the louse):
 Nits attach to the hair shaft very close to the scalp
 Size of a grain of sand.
 Brown in colour when alive, white when dead or hatched.
 Do not come off easily. Hatch in about seven days.
 Nits more than 1 cm from the scalp are dead or hatched, or may be dandruff.
Where to look:
Lice or nits are found close to the scalp, particularly around the ears, at the back of the neck and forehead.
Use a bright light and magnifying glass if available. Part and comb wet hair into small sections to help you
see lice and nits better. If you only find nits look closer for live lice. If no live lice are present treat for
nits. If lice and nits are present act quickly and treat both.
How to get rid of head lice
Head lice Treatment.
Nit Treatment
Do not treat children unless they have live lice.
Your pharmacist can help you choose a head lice
product. You do not need a prescription. Read the
list of ingredients and the directions very carefully.
Ingredients with permethrin (Nix or Kwellada-P) or
pyrethrins
(R&C) are proven effective when used as
directed.
Daily nit removal and hair combing are keys
to getting rid of head lice. After head lice are
treated, removing the nits can help to prevent a
new infestation. Even with careful nit picking
some live nits can be missed. Children may
return to school or child care facility after the first
treatment even if nits still remain in their hair.
Give 2 treatments 7 to 10 days apart. The first
treatment will kill head lice but not all nits. The
second treatment must be used again in 7 to 10
days after the first. Between treatments daily nit
removal and hair combing are essential to get rid of
head lice successfully. If you see live lice 48 hrs
after the second treatment, contact your physician.
To remove nits, use a bright light and part hair
into small sections. With a fine-toothed nit comb
or your fingernails pull the nits from the hair
strands starting at the roots down to the tips. This
is easier when hair is wet. Wipe the nits onto a
tissue and place in a bag for disposal. After wash
your hands with soap and water and soak the
comb in hot water.
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Ottawa Public Health – Lice Module September 2014
Alternative head lice treatment
Household products such as mineral oil and vinegar, petroleum jelly, mayonnaise and hair gel
have been used to treat head lice. These methods have not been proven to work. Applying these
products is thought to plug the holes through which the lice breathe. These products may be even
less effective if only nits are present. If used, leave the product on the head overnight. After these
treatments, wash and rinse hair with regular shampoo several times.
Check all close contacts. If one person in the family has head lice, it is possible that other family
members will also have them. Tell your child’s school, day-care, and children’s groups (i.e. sports,
Cubs, etc.) so other parents can check their children’s hair. An untreated source among close
contacts is a common reason for getting head lice again.
It is important that all individuals who have head lice be treated at the same time.
Cleaning personal items
Head lice do not survive more than 3 days away from the warmth and humidity of the scalp. Nits
will hatch in 7 to 10 days. Wash combs, brushes and hair accessories with hot, soapy water until
all lice or nits are removed. Then soak them in very hot water for 10 minutes. Wash clothing, bed
linens and towels in hot soapy water then put them in a hot dryer for 15 minutes. Items that you
can’t wash such as blankets, coats and stuffed animal you can put them in a plastic bag for 10
days. Sharing hair brushes while undergoing treatment is discouraged. Extra housecleaning is not
needed. Do not use insecticide sprays.
Consult your doctor about treatment if...
• you are allergic to any of the ingredients
• you are pregnant or breastfeeding
• treating children under two years of age
• treating someone with a seizure disorder
• treating lice on eyebrows, eyelashes or beard
• the skin of the scalp is broken or infected
• the head lice infestation persists
How to prevent the spread of head lice
• Routinely check your child’s head or daily during lice outbreaks when advised by your
school or child care facility.
• Teach your child not to share personal items that are used on their head such as brushes,
combs, barrettes, headbands, elastics, towels, hats, helmets, toques, and scarves.
More information:ottawa.ca/health or http://www.caringforkids.cps.ca/handouts/head_lice
If you have further questions about head lice, call Ottawa Public Health at 613-580-6744 and
speak with a Public Health Nurse.
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Ottawa Public Health – Lice Module September 2014
Appendix 1
Appendix 2
Head Lice Decision Aid
ARE LIVE LICE PRESENT?
YES
NO
Two treatments needed
(7-10 days apart)
Nitpick daily
Are they less than
1 cm from scalp?
YES
YES
Are there any
nits (eggs)?
YES
Has head lice been
treated in the last 10
days?
Dates:
#1. _________________
#2. _________________
NO
NO
NO
Since eggs are greater
than 1 cm from the scalp
they have hatched or died
(7 days after #1)
Note: Review head lice fact
sheet
Ottawa Public Health – Lice Module September 2014
Needs 2 treatments
(7 to 10 days apart)
Nitpick daily
No treatment
needed
No treatment is
needed