Head Lice

Head lice are a common nuisance, especially in the elementary grades.  If your child is infected, don’t panic.  Contact your health care provider for advice on prescription or over the counter treatments.  We have included some information as well about a non-prescription treatment that has proven to work well over the years (combing is the key).

Each year as the children return to school, parents face the Head Lice Issue.  Head lice are a common community problem.  An estimated 6 to 12 million infestations occur each year in the United States, mostly among children ages 3 to 11 years old.  The American Academy of Pediatrics and the National Association of School Nurses have both taken the position that no child should be excluded from school because of head lice, which is the Sweet Home CSD  protocol approved by our Medical Director.

Head lice are not dangerous.  They do not transmit disease, but they do spread easily.  Despite what you may have heard, head lice often infest people with good hygiene and grooming habits.  Nobody is immune, so it’s important to know some basics, including how to recognize symptoms and what to do if faced with an infestation.

Please note that as per our protocol, we do not do classroom head checks or send out letters if a student is found to have head lice.  Parents should make it part of their regular routine to check their child’s head on a weekly basis.