Nursing/Medical Division - School Services - Head Lice
Public Health Nurses can perform a head lice check on persons who think they may have lice. Most schools in Huron County have a "no nit" policy which requires that children with lice or nits be seen by the Health District or their physician and receive a note that says they no longer have lice or nits. The Health Department can perform a head lice check on a walk in basis, however, there may be a wait until there is a nurse available. The fee for this service is $20.00 and Medicaid is accepted. Please call if you have questions about the head lice check or want more information about preventing or getting rid of head lice.
Head lice are most commonly spread by direct head-to-head (hair-to-hair) contact and much less frequently by sharing clothing or belongings onto which lice or nits may have crawled or fallen. Lice do not fly or jump. Head lice do not live on animals. The risk of getting infested by a louse that has fallen onto a carpet or furniture is very small. Head lice survive less than 1-2 days if they fall off a person and cannot feed; nits cannot hatch and usually die within a week if they are not kept at the same temperature as that found close to the human scalp.
The following are steps that can be taken to help prevent and control the spread of head lice:
- Avoid head-to-head (hair-to-hair) contact during play and other activities at home, school, and elsewhere (sports activities, playground, slumber parties, camp).
- Do not share clothing such as hats, scarves, coats, sports uniforms, hair ribbons, or barrettes
- Do not share combs, brushes, or towels. Disinfest combs and brushes used by a person with head lice by soaking them in hot water (at least 130°F) for 5-10 minutes
- Do not lie on beds, couches, pillows, carpets, or stuffed animals that have recently been in contact with someone with lice
- Machine wash and dry clothing, bed linens, and other items that someone with lice wore or used during the 2 days before treatment using the hot water (130°F) laundry cycle and the high heat drying cycle. Clothing and items that are not washable can be dry-cleaned OR sealed in a plastic bag and stored for 2 weeks.
- Vacuum the floor and furniture, particularly where the infested person sat or lay.
- Do not use fumigant sprays or fogs; they are not necessary to control head lice and can be toxic if inhaled or absorbed through the skin.
To get rid of head lice, see the Four Step Battle Plan Head Lice to Dead Lice. The Huron County General Health District does not recommend the use of prescription or over the counter pediculocides.
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