Headlice Policy

Head lice are insects that live in hair and suck blood from the scalp. They are a nuisance because they can cause itching of the scalp, but they do not cause disease or illness. Head lice can only be spread from one person to another by direct head-to-head contact- the lice cannot jump or fly. Head lice do not breed on animals, bedding, furniture, carpets, clothes or soft toys. They cannot spread by sharing hats. If a child has live headlice present, they are to be excluded from the Centre until effective treatment has commenced (effective treatment is when a treatment is used and all the lice are dead). As long as the eggs or lice are alive, they can spread to other people by direct head-to-head contact.

Responsibilities of parents-

Check your child’s head once a week for head lice. If you find any eggs, begin treatment immediately. Check for effectiveness of the treatment every 2 days until no lice are found for 10 consecutive days.
You may send your child back to the Centre as soon as effective treatment has started.
Check for head lice in other family members as well.
Keep long hair tied back in a pony tail or plait to reduce the chance of spread.

Responsibilities of the Centre-

To distribute up to date and accurate information on detection, treatment and control of head lice to educators, staff and parents.
To ensure all families are kept up to date with current information on head lice and any changes to the policy.
Educate children, educators, staff and parents about head lice.
To ensure all families are aware of the Centre’s head lice policy and ensure it is reinforced during outbreaks.
To seek support from the Banyule City Council Health Nurse to provide head checks during outbreaks, for families that consent.
Only exclude children from care who have live lice until they’ve been treated.
Notify parents of any outbreak of head lice via the ‘Children’s Health Board’.

Looking for and treating Headlice

Adult lice are difficult to see; look for eggs by shining a strong light on the hair near the scalp, or using the conditioner and combing technique:

1. Untangle dry hair with an ordinary comb.

2. Apply hair conditioner to dry hair (white conditioner makes it easier to see the eggs). Use enough conditioner to cover the whole scalp and all the hair from roots to tips.

3. Use an ordinary comb to evenly distribute the conditioner, and divide the hair into four or more sections using hair clips.

4. Starting with a section at the back of the head, place the teeth of a head lice comb flat against the scalp. Comb the hair from the roots through to the tips

5. Wipe the comb clean on a tissue after each stroke and check for head lice or eggs on the tissues.

6. Comb each section twice until you have combed the whole head. If the comb becomes clogged, use an old toothbrush, dental floss or a safety pin to remove the head lice or eggs.

The conditioner and combing technique is also an effective head lice treatment. Keep combing the whole head until all the conditioner is gone. Repeat the process daily until no lice or eggs have been found for 10 days.

Chemical treatments are also available for head lice- your pharmacist can help you choose a product.

Source: ‘Staying Healthy’ – 5^th Edition- National Health and Medical Research Council

→ next policy (Outbreaks of immunisable/notifiable diseases exclusion policy)

→ back to Organisational Policies