Head Lice Overview

Head lice are a common community problem. An estimated 6 to 12 million infestations occur each year in the United States, most commonly among children ages 3 to 11 years old. Though a head lice infestation is often spotted in school, it is usually acquired through direct head-to-head contact elsewhere, such as at sleepovers or camp.

Head lice are not dangerous, and they do not transmit disease. Additionally, despite what you might have heard, head lice often infest people with good hygiene and grooming habits. Your family, friends, or community may experience head lice. It’s important to know some basics, including how to recognize symptoms and what to do if faced with an infestation.

Parents can help prevent lice outbreaks by regularly checking their child's hair for eggs and providing immediate treatment if lice are detected. It is important to also discourage your child from sharing combs, brushes or hats. Your school nurse or health coordinator is happy to provide you with the information you need to address any head lice issue that may occur, and encourage you to talk with your healthcare provider to resolve the problem as quickly and effectively as possible. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out to your school's health office!

Health Office Policy: If 20% or more of students in a classroom are reported to have head lice, a notification letter will be sent home to parents/guardians.

Signs and Symptoms of Infestation

  • Tickling feeling on the scalp or in the hair 
  • Itching (caused by the bites of the louse)
  • Irritability and difficulty sleeping (lice are more active in the dark) 
  • Sores on the head (caused by scratching, which can sometimes become infected) 

Finding a live nymph or adult louse on the scalp or in the hair is an indication of an active infestation. They are most commonly found behind the ears and near the neckline at the back of the head.

What if my child gets head lice?

If you suspect your child might have head lice, it’s important to talk to a school nurse, pediatrician, or family physician to get appropriate care. There are a number of available treatments, including new prescription treatment options that are safe and do not require nit combing. Your child should undergo initial treatment and be free of live lice before they return to school.  If your child has been treated for lice, when they return to school, they should be checked by the school nurse to ensure they are free from active lice. 

Other things to consider in selecting and starting treatment include: 

  • Follow treatment instructions. Using extra amounts or multiple applications of the same medication is not recommended, unless directed by a healthcare professional
  • A 2016 study showed that 48 states now have lice that are genetically predisposed to resistance to commonly used treatments 
  • There is no scientific evidence that home remedies are effective treatments 
  • Head lice do not infest the house. However, family bed linens and recently used clothes, hats, and towels should be washed in very hot water and dried on the high setting 
  • Personal articles, such as combs, brushes, and hair clips, should be soaked in very hot water for 5 to 10 minutes if they were exposed to someone with an active head lice infestation 
  • All household members and other close contacts should be checked, and those with evidence of an active infestation should also be treated at the same time

Many families will experience a head lice infestation at some point during their child’s school years. If your child is diagnosed with head lice, know you are not alone. Your school nurse or health coordinator is happy to provide you with the information you need to address any head lice issue that may occur, and encourage you to talk with your healthcare provider to resolve the problem as quickly and effectively as possible. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out to your school's health office!