PEDICULOSIS (Head Lice)
A few cases of Pediculosis have been found in a few classes at Fern Avenue Public School. Pediculosis is an infestation of head lice or head lice eggs (called “nits”) which is spread by direct contact with an infested person and, indirectly, by contact with his/her personal belongings. These include clothing, combs, brushes and head gear. We have currently screened our students and have contacted parents.
We ask that you take the following precautions:
1. Inspect your child’s hair and scalp frequently for the next 10 days. The louse may be brown or grayish, with a flat wingless body 2-3 mm in length. It has six legs. The eggs may be yellow, brown, or white tear drop shaped, are glued to the hair near the scalp and are called “nits”. It is usually the eggs which are first noticed.
2.If your child complains of an itchy scalp, you should check for lice and/or nits.
3.If your discover your child has lice or nits, please notify the school right away. We will send you a Treatment Instruction sheet.
4. Please note that if a child is found to have pediculosis, the parent or guardian will be required to keep the child at home until he/she is free of all head lice and nits.
The following information is a Treatment Instruction Sheet:
PEDICULOSIS TREATMENT INSTRUCTION SHEET
Head Lice
Lice are very small brown wingless insects. Their eggs, called nits, appear gray in dark hair and brown in light hair. They are oval shaped and stick to the side of the hair near the scalp.
Checking for Lice
If you notice signs such as frequent head scratching, check all family members at least once a week. Only treat people who have lice or nits.
nits on hair
Lice magnified
How to Treat Head Lice
Lice treatments and lice combs are available at your local drugstore. If the person with lice or nits has allergies, asthma, epilepsy or other medical conditions, please consult your pharmacist or doctor. If you or the person with lice or nits is pregnant or nursing, please phone Motherrisk at (416) 813-6780.
Here are two ways to get rid of head lice. In both treatments, you will have to remove nits from the hair by hand
Commercial Treatments
· Shampoo your child’s hair according to the instructions.
· Separate the hair into sections and remove all the nits with the lice comb and your fingernails. Shampoos alone will not get rid of nits.
· To help loosen the eggs rinse the hair with a mixture of warm water (1/2) and vinegar (1/2).
· Treating head lice requires two treatments one week apart.
· Each day for a month, inspect the hair for lice and nits.
Vinegar and Oil Treatments
· Mix equal parts of vinegar and oil (mineral oil, baby oil, cooking oil).
· Apply to dry hair and rub well.
· Cover the hair in plastic wrap for 2-3 hours.
· Wash hair with regular shampoo.
· Separate the hair into sections and remove all the nits with the lice comb and your fingernails. To help loosen the eggs rinse the hair with a mixture of warm water (1/2) and vinegar(1/2).
· Repeat this treatment five times every three days for 15 days.
What Else Can I Do?
It is a good idea to put bed linen, clothes and stuffed toys in a hot dryer or wash them in hot water. Do not use chemical sprays in your home as part of the treatment. They are dangerous and totally unnecessary.
Returning to School
Your child may return to school after the first treatment and after all nits are removed. If you have any questions, please contact your school.
We ask that you take the following precautions:
1. Inspect your child’s hair and scalp frequently for the next 10 days. The louse may be brown or grayish, with a flat wingless body 2-3 mm in length. It has six legs. The eggs may be yellow, brown, or white tear drop shaped, are glued to the hair near the scalp and are called “nits”. It is usually the eggs which are first noticed.
2.If your child complains of an itchy scalp, you should check for lice and/or nits.
3.If your discover your child has lice or nits, please notify the school right away. We will send you a Treatment Instruction sheet.
4. Please note that if a child is found to have pediculosis, the parent or guardian will be required to keep the child at home until he/she is free of all head lice and nits.
The following information is a Treatment Instruction Sheet:
PEDICULOSIS TREATMENT INSTRUCTION SHEET
Head Lice
Lice are very small brown wingless insects. Their eggs, called nits, appear gray in dark hair and brown in light hair. They are oval shaped and stick to the side of the hair near the scalp.
Checking for Lice
If you notice signs such as frequent head scratching, check all family members at least once a week. Only treat people who have lice or nits.
nits on hair
Lice magnified
How to Treat Head Lice
Lice treatments and lice combs are available at your local drugstore. If the person with lice or nits has allergies, asthma, epilepsy or other medical conditions, please consult your pharmacist or doctor. If you or the person with lice or nits is pregnant or nursing, please phone Motherrisk at (416) 813-6780.
Here are two ways to get rid of head lice. In both treatments, you will have to remove nits from the hair by hand
Commercial Treatments
· Shampoo your child’s hair according to the instructions.
· Separate the hair into sections and remove all the nits with the lice comb and your fingernails. Shampoos alone will not get rid of nits.
· To help loosen the eggs rinse the hair with a mixture of warm water (1/2) and vinegar (1/2).
· Treating head lice requires two treatments one week apart.
· Each day for a month, inspect the hair for lice and nits.
Vinegar and Oil Treatments
· Mix equal parts of vinegar and oil (mineral oil, baby oil, cooking oil).
· Apply to dry hair and rub well.
· Cover the hair in plastic wrap for 2-3 hours.
· Wash hair with regular shampoo.
· Separate the hair into sections and remove all the nits with the lice comb and your fingernails. To help loosen the eggs rinse the hair with a mixture of warm water (1/2) and vinegar(1/2).
· Repeat this treatment five times every three days for 15 days.
What Else Can I Do?
It is a good idea to put bed linen, clothes and stuffed toys in a hot dryer or wash them in hot water. Do not use chemical sprays in your home as part of the treatment. They are dangerous and totally unnecessary.
Returning to School
Your child may return to school after the first treatment and after all nits are removed. If you have any questions, please contact your school.
