What Are Head Lice?

Remember, head lice cannot survive for Head lice are insects that live in the hair of very long away from the head. They have humans and feed on their blood. These a need for warmth and food. They cannot insects have hook-like claws on each of jump, fly or swim. their six legs which they use to hold onto the hair of their host. Their life cycle is Some parents/carers worry more about about six weeks lice during term time as they think that lice Head Lice are only caught in school. However, - nits, the eggs, take a week to catch infestation is just as common during the into baby head lice or ‘nymphs’ holidays as during term time. Children What They Are - nymphs take about a week to return to school with lice and the lice then mature into fully developed head spread! lice - adults live for about 30 days At our school, we have noticed that the How They Spread worst times for infestations of head lice are Signs and Symptoms September, when children return from the summer break and during the hotter Nits and lice are barely visible to the months of the year! What Can Be casual observer. There may be no outward sign of infestation other than head Who Is Susceptible? Done scratching. If treatment is not given, the lice will multiply and inevitably spread to Head lice are most common with other people. 4 – 11 year olds (source BUPA) probably because this age group is very sociable! How Head Lice Spread Research suggests that girls are more susceptible than boys as they are more The following causes are listed in order of likely to put their heads together working likelihood: and laying than boys. - sustained and direct head-to-head contact Head lice will infect anybody and have no - from your best friend particular preference for long or short hair, - working or playing in classroom the colour or the length. However, it may and playtime groups be easier for them to move around in short - shared hat – slightly possible hair or long hair which is not tied up. - shared headphones/combs/brushes – unlikely - costumes for dressing up – unlikely

What are head lice? What can be done? informed and asked to carry out a Next Steps treatment - At our school we politely ask, for Please check your child’s hair on a weekly reasons of health, that all children Treatments basis and treat when necessary. with hair long enough to be tied back, do so. There are a variety of treatments available Please participate in our whole school Bug - At out school we speak with to get rid of head lice infestations some of Busting Day on Thursday 15 June which parents/carers of children who which contain harsh chemicals and alcohol is part of a national campaign. have head lice to ensure that which make them unsuitable for children treatment is undertaken with asthma, eczema or those with Please contact us or Teddington Clinic - At our school we provide each sensitive skin. should you want more help, guidance family with a head lice comb in the and/or support. ‘Welcome Pack’ at the start of each One of the most effective treatments is to school year shampoo and wash your child’s hair, apply Useful Contacts - At our school we will provide conditioner and then using a head lice advice for families comb, thoroughly comb the hair – front, - Sharon Paget, Teaching Assistant - At our school no child is excluded back, sides and in different directions! at our school who can provide from school though we do ask Using this method, the comb will soon advice parents/carers to treat their child as catch nits and lice. If you do find anything, soon as they are aware of head you then need to continue with this - Teresa Timbs, School Nurse based lice method for several days to ensure that no at Teddington Clinic: - At our school we ask that you let nits are left which could hatch. Checking 0208 714 4210 your child’s class teacher know if all family members is also a good idea! your child has had head lice so that - Websites: Put in ‘Head Lice’ on a a general reminder can be given to There are other products available for the search engine and you will get a the children about hair care. pharmacy including products with tea tree huge amount of information! - At our school we expect all oil. A new organic shampoo called Lice parents/carers to regularly check Attack which contains a special coconut their child’s head oil has proved to be very successful as it - At our school, staff will remind appears to work by stopping the breathing children about having head checks systems of the insects. at home and about tying up long hair A variety of combs are also available – - At our school we will not send out plastic, metal and even electronic. The ‘alert letters’ as we could be doing ones that we provide are recommended by this on a weekly basis and some a national schools programme called ‘Bug children could be treated when this Busting’. would not be necessary - At our school, we do not carry out head checks but if a member of staff is aware that a child has head lice, the child’s parent/carer will be