Avoid Classroom Infestations of Head Lice
How to Keep Teachers Safe from Infection by Head Lice
Mar 24, 2009
Head lice are small parasitic insects that live in the hair and scalp. It is easy to spot once you know what to look for. It is rare to see live adult lice, instead you should look for nits (eggs). Nits are very small and can resemble dandruff. Look for light colored specks on dark hair, and dark colored specks on fair hair. Nits will not fall off the hair when shaken like dandruff will. Not all nits are cause for concern, however, nits that are found more than a half an inch away from the scalp are often not viable.
Unfortunately, head lice is very common, especially in girls ages 3-12. It is not always easy to keep teachers safe from infection. Being well informed will help prevent the spread of head lice in the classroom.
Keeping Teachers Safe from Infection
Possibly the easiest way to keep teachers safe from infection of head lice is to keep long hair pulled back while at work. This will minimize the contact that hair will have with infected children. Lice can jump, so it is also important to keep a distance between the teacher’s head and those of their students. Teachers should never share combs, hats, brushes or pillows with students.
How Teachers Prevent Classroom infestation of Head lice
Teachers can avoid classroom infestation of head lice by:
- Making sure the classroom is cleaned and vacuumed regularly.
- Checking for nits on children with excessively “itchy heads”.
- Sending children with active head lice infections home for treatment immediately.
- Performing head checks on other students in class once an active infection has been identified.
Though sharing is often part of early education, teachers should have rules in place that serve to prevent the spread of head lice in the classroom. Some things that should never be shared are:
- Combs and brushes
- Hats
- Coats
- Nap mats
- Hair accessories
- Pillows
- Stuffed animals
Treatment of Head Lice
The proper treatment of head lice requires several key actions. If thorough treatment and cleaning are not done, it is easy to be re-infested.
- A pesticide shampoo or home remedy should be used to kill live lice.
- A nit comb should be used to remove any nits stuck to the hair.
- All bedding and clothing should be washed in very hot water.
- Stuffed animals and pillows should be put in plastic bags with the air removed for 10-14 days.
- Rugs and carpets should be vacuumed thoroughly.
- A pesticide spray can be used to treat other soft surfaces in the home and classroom.
Keeping teachers safe from infections that are common in people who work in close contact with students is important. Avoiding classroom infestations of head lice can be easy when teachers are well informed. Information for teachers to prevent classroom infestation of ringworm and pinworms is available as well.
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