Head Lice
"Blaming anyone for having head lice is just wrong.
It's like blaming trees for having birds in them."
This is a common problem in all schools and information about head lice, and how to get rid of them, can easily be obtained from the School Office.
Head lice can be removed by using a fine-toothed detector comb (bought at any chemist) and the wet combing method:
- Wash the hair in the normal way with an ordinary shampoo.
- Using lots of hair conditioner on the wet hair, comb through the hair from the roots with the fine-toothed comb. Make sure the teeth of the comb slot into the hair at the roots with every stroke, and do this over a pale surface, such as a paper towel or the bath.
- Clear the comb of lice between each stroke.
- Wet lice find it difficult to escape and hair which is slippery from conditioner makes it hard for them to keep a grip – so removal with the comb is easier.
- If you find any lice then repeat this routine every 2-3 days for 2 weeks so that any lice emerging from eggs are removed before they spread.
Please note: Having head lice is not an illness and is not a valid reason for a child to be absent from school. Children should be treated at home and then brought into school as soon possible afterwards to prevent an unauthorised absence mark being given.
