As a school nurse, head lice are a problem that you will undoubtedly encounter. The greatest challenge of being on the forefront of an outbreak is often helping to calm the upset parents as well as educating them on how to treat their child for an active infestation. Each infested student, along with their living environment, must be treated as soon as possible in order to successfully eliminate the pests. Detecting lice, recommending a treatment, and dispelling numerous myths are sure ways to keep a school nurse plenty busy, as parents and faculty turn to them as a trusted resource. Here are the essentials necessary in staying one foot ahead of an infestation.
EDUCATE
Prevention is the best tool for dealing with head lice. Educating staff, parents and children on the tools needed to properly identify head lice and advising them to protect their child before an infestation becomes a full blown outbreak are some of the best ways to encourage prevention. Conducting regular head checks to detect early signs of an infestation and notifying the child’s parents as soon as possible if an infestation is found can also help in preventing an outbreak.
It is important that parents are thoroughly informed on how to identify, treat and prevent head lice. Lice are small, white, wingless insects that are readily transmitted via head-to-head contact. Lice can appear in all stages of the life cycle which includes eggs/nits, nymphs (immature lice), or adults. Lice and eggs can often be found around the nape of the neck, the hairline or the behind ears. Adult lice are about the size of a sesame seed. Lice are non-discriminating and will infest anyone, even children with the greatest excellence in hygiene habits. Lice feed on human blood and live near the scalp, but do not transmit disease. Lice often spread through places of gathering like schools, camps or sleepovers so it is especially important to educate children in avoiding head-to-head contact with anyone who has an active infestation. As a parent, stay vigilant and check your child’s scalp by performing regular head checks and combing until identified outbreaks have been eliminated.
Myths are an inevitable factor associated with the topic of head lice and nurses will likely find the need to dispel these myths. Contrary to popular belief, lice do not have the ability to jump from head to head or to fly. It’s unlikely that lice can be found on hats or helmets, as their feet are specifically adapted to grab only onto human hair. Rather than spreading via clothing or combs, it is more likely that lice will spread from direct head-to-head contact. Furthermore, lice do not have the ability to survive more than 24-48 hours off of the head eliminating the possibility of it because of their need to feed frequently from a host. Another popular misconception is that only dirty people get lice. Personal hygiene does not play a role in the likelihood of an infestation.
Many families often feel embarrassed when their child has contracted head lice due to the prevailing social stigma, as false as it may be, that only dirty people get lice. As a nurse, it is important to provide support, reassurance and maintain privacy as you help to dispel these myths and provide available treatment options.
Head Lice Battle Plan
It is important to encourage the family to talk to their pediatrician about the appropriate treatment options if active lice has been found on a child’s head. Many effective over-the-counter treatment options exist for quickly eliminating head lice infestations. Additionally, all bed linens, clothes, and hats should be washed in hot soapy water and dried at high heat in order to eliminate the pests from the previously infested area.