Clinic Update
We have been made aware of a few cases of head lice in various year groups across the Junior School. Below is information regarding head lice and a link to NSW Health information regarding the management and treatment of head lice. Please check your child’s hair and watch out for itchiness and irritation to scalp.
How do you catch head lice?
Head lice are most common among primary school aged children. They cannot fly, jump, or swim and are spread by direct contact with the hair of the infested individual. A head lice infestation is not the result of dirty hair or poor hygiene, and it can affect all types of hair regardless of its condition or length. Head lice are rarely transferred through clothing, hats, furniture, or bedding.
Female head lice lay eggs close to the scalp on the hair shaft. Eggs hatch after 5-7 days, leaving empty eggshells (nits) glued to the hair shaft. These eggshells are more noticeable as hair grows and they get carried away from the scalp. Nymphs that emerge from eggshells take 7-8 days to grow to adult sized lice. They may take another 7 days to start breeding and hence it is important to remove them to stop them spreading.
Treatment – Head lice (nsw.gov.au)
‘Help, My Kids Keep Getting Head Lice!’ Here’s How To Break The Cycle Of Nits | NSW Health Pathology
Kind regards
Rebecca Rodgers
School Nurse