• Head lice Policy and guidelines

Head lice  (pediculosis) is an infestation of the hair  with adult lice, nymphs, and nits (eggs), which results in severe itching or excoriation (abrasion) of the scalp, or both.

Anyone can get head lice. They are not a sign of being dirty and should not be considered a sign of an unclean house. Head lice are easily spread from person to person by direct contact and are often found in school settings.  Head lice do not spread disease.

Head lice are tiny insects, about 1/10-1/8 of an inch long) inch long that live in human hair and feed on human blood. They multiply rapidly, laying little silvery-colored oval-shaped eggs (called nits) that they glue to the base of the hair close to the scalp.  Although it is hard to see head lice, a person can see the nits if they look closely.  Nits are most often found in the hair behind the ears and at the back of the head and neck.  Nits should not be confused with dandruff. Dandruff can easily be flicked off the hair; nits cannot because they are firmly attached to individual hairs. 

One telltale sign of head lice is a persistent itching of the scalp, which is caused by the bite of the louse, and that is sometimes accompanied by infected scratch marks or what appear to be a rash. A secondary bacterial infection can occur, causing oozing or crusting.  Swollen neck glands may also develop.

Head lice need human blood to survive.  They are transmitted through direct contact with an infested person or with shared items, such as combs, brushes, towels, pillowcases, hats, headphones, other headgear, and clothing.

Treatment

The Texas Department of State Health Services recommends the following treatment for head lice and nits:

1. Use an FDA-approved pediculicide shampoo/treatment.  Follow the directions on the packaging exactly.  Consult with a pharmacist or doctor regarding proper and safe used, possible side effects, etc.
2. Remove as many nits as possible with a nit comb (available at pharmacies or provided with pediculicide).
3. Household treatment should be done simultaneously and should include soaking combs and brushes in pediculicide for 1 hour or in 120 degree water for 5-10 minutes. Bedding should be washed in 120 degree water. Non-washable items may be sealed in a plastic bag for 1 week or dry-cleaned.  Furniture, carpets, and mattresses should be vacuumed thoroughly.
4. Treatment of hair should be repeated in 7 days (follow the manufacturer of the pediculicide’s instructions) to ensure that if any nits have hatched, the lice are killed before they lay eggs.

*It is important that all of these steps be taken on the same day to prevent a return of the problem.

 Spanish:

Carta de Información Para Piojos

 Los piojos (pediculosis) es una infestación de piojos adultos  del cabello, ninfas y liendres (huevos), lo que resulta en picazón severa o excoriación (abrasión) del cuero cabelludo, o ambos. Cualquiera puede tener piojos. No son un signo de ser sucio y no deben considerarse como un signo de una casa sucia. Los piojos se propagan fácilmente de persona a persona por contacto directo y se encuentran a menudo en el entorno escolar. Los piojos no transmiten enfermedades. Los piojos son insectos muy pequeños (aproximadamente 1 / 10-1 / 8 de pulgada de largo) que viven en el cabello humano y se alimentan de sangre humana. Se multiplican rápidamente, por lo que dejan pequeños huevos de color plateado con forma ovalada (llamados liendres) que se pegan a la base del pelo cerca del cuero cabelludo. Aunque es difícil de ver piojos en la cabeza, una persona puede ver las liendres si se ven de cerca. Las liendres se encuentran con mayor frecuencia en el cabello detrás de las orejas y en la parte posterior de la cabeza y el cuello. Las liendres no se deben confundir con la caspa. La caspa puede ser fácilmente parpadeo de los cabellos, las liendres no pueden porque están firmemente unidos a los pelos individuales. Un signo revelador de piojos de la cabeza es un picor persistente del cuero cabelludo, que es causada por la picadura del piojo, y que a veces se acompaña de marcas de arañazos infectados o con lo que parecen ser una erupción. Una infección bacteriana secundaria puede ocurrir, causando supuración o costras. Glándulas del cuello hinchadas pueden desarrollar. Los piojos necesitan sangre humana para sobrevivir. Se transmiten a través del contacto directo con una persona infectada o con objetos compartidos, tales como peines, cepillos, toallas, fundas de almohadas, sombreros, auriculares, demás tocados, y prendas de vestir.