Lice Policy

PEDICULOSIS (HEAD LICE)

Pediculosis is an infestation of the hair and clothing (especially along the seams of inner surfaces) with live adults, nymphs, and nits (eggs), which results in severe itching or excoriation or both. Secondary infection may occur with a regional lymphadenitis especially cervical. There are three types of lice: Pediculus humanus capitis, the head louse; Pediculus h. corporis, the body louse; and Phthirus pubis, the crab louse. Crab lice usually infest the pubic area; they may also infest hair of the face (including eyelashes), axillae, and body surfaces. Head lice are tiny wingless, silvery, gray or brown insects (1/10 to 1/8 of an inch long) that live in human hair and feed on human blood. They multiply rapidly, laying little silvery-colored oval-shaped eggs (nits) that they glue to the base of the hair close to the scalp. Although it is hard to see head lice, a person can see the nits if they look closely. They prefer dark, damp areas near the nap of the neck or around the ears or under bangs. Nits should not be confused with dandruff. Dandruff can easily be flicked off the hair; nits cannot because they are firmly attached to individual hairs. One significant sign of head lice is a persistent itching of the scalp, which is caused by the bite of the louse, and that is sometimes accompanied by infected scratch marks or what appears to be a rash. A secondary bacterial infection can occur causing oozing or crusting. Swollen neck glands may also develop. Head lice survive less than one or two days if they fall off the scalp and cannot feed. Head lice eggs (nits) cannot hatch and usually die within a week if they do not remain under ideal conditions of heat and humidity similar to those found close to the human scalp. Therefore, because a nit must incubate under conditions equivalent to those found near the human scalp, it is very unlikely to hatch away from the head. In addition, if the egg were to hatch, the newly emerged nymph would die within several hours if it did not feed on human blood. Anyone can get head lice. They are not a sign of being dirty and should not be considered a sign of an unclean house. Head lice are easily spread from person to person by direct contact and are often found in school settings. Head lice do not spread disease. Head lice need blood to survive. They are transmitted through direct contacts with an infested person or with shared items such as combs, brushes, towels, pillowcases, headphones, other headgear, and clothing.

Law and Policy

Students identified with head lice may complete the school day and information addressing lice management and treatment is sent home for the student and parent or legal guardian. The district provides pediculocide for the student and some cases for the family. Lice are not a public health threat; they do not carry disease. Therefore, the Texas Department of State Health Services does not monitor or track cases of head lice. The state does urge school districts not to cause children to miss class unnecessarily or encourage the embarrassment and isolation of students who suffer from repeated head lice infestations. Head lice is considered a social issue not a health threat. District Board Policy FFAD (LEGAL) states “A principal shall exclude from attendance any child having a suspected communicable disease designated by the commissioner of health as cause of exclusion.” The state does not recognize head lice as a communicable disease or a need to exclude from class.