Head Lice

We are posting this information about important updates to the NSD Head Lice Policy. These changes align with guidance from the CDC, Washington State Department of Health, American Academy of Pediatrics, and the National Association of School Nurses.

Key Points:

  1. Understanding Head Lice: Head lice are common and can affect anyone, regardless of hygiene or living conditions. While they can be inconvenient, they do not pose a health risk.
  2. Notification and Treatment:
    • If you discover lice on your child, please notify the school nurse. Students must be treated before returning to school, but a parent is no longer required to accompany them.
    • If your child has been identified with head lice during school, we will notify you. Parents will also be informed if there are three or more confirmed cases in a classroom.
  3. Privacy Considerations: To protect student confidentiality, we will no longer send whole-class notifications for one or two cases.
  4. Prevention Strategies:
    • Teach your child to avoid head-to-head contact and not to share personal items like hats and combs.
    • Conduct weekly head checks for early detection. Some families find it helpful to do this every Friday.
  5. Identifying Head Lice:
    • Look for small (about the size of a sesame seed), dark or gray insects, or their eggs (nits), which are tiny, shiny, and firmly attached to hair. Nits can be easier to spot than lice, especially in good light.
  6. Treatment Options:
    • Over-the-counter lice shampoos are available, and prescription options can be provided by your healthcare provider. Follow all instructions carefully, as multiple applications may be necessary.
    • Consider using a metal nit comb for effective removal or seek assistance from local lice removal clinics if needed.
  7. Family Checks: If lice are found, check all family members daily for two weeks, treating only those with evidence of infestation.

For more information, please visit Seattle Children's Hospital - Head Lice, CDC- About Head Lice, CDC- Head Lice Treatment, or American Academy of Dermatology -Head Lice Diagnosis and Treatment.

Thank you for your cooperation and support in keeping our school community healthy.