When winter approaches, many parents become concerned about their child’s possibility of getting head lice. Although head lice can be contracted any time of the year, cold weather offers more ways of getting lice. In efforts to try and prevent the spread of lice I would like to remind you of a few facts.

Lice are tiny bugs that live on the scalp of a human. Having lice is not a sign of poor hygiene habits, lice like clean scalps/hair too. Lice cause the scalp to itch. Lice are small (less that 1/8 inch long), tan-colored insects, alive and moving. They prefer the back of the scalp, behind the ears and above the neck but can be found other places on the scalp too. The eggs (nits) are gray-white specks stuck to the hair.

Lice spread by direct contact with a person who has lice by sharing brushes, combs, hats, scarves, bed sheets, blankets, and pillows. Lice do not jump or fly; they only crawl. Animals do not spread human lice. Please remind your child not to share their brushes, combs, hats, etc.

If you notice your child is scratching their head a lot please check for lice or notify myself or their teacher and I will check them. If you find lice please keep your child home and provide treatment to kill the lice. Also, I have information on treatment of lice and the treatment of the home available. Prevention is the key.

Adams Central Community Schools