Head Lice Information for Schools

Head lice crawl from person to person by direct head to head contact. They do not spread disease. Anyone can get them. They are more common in children as their heads frequently touch when they play together. Itching is the main complaint.

Parents:

Check your child's hair weekly for head lice. Check more often if the child has been in close contact with someone who has head lice.

If your child has head lice, notify all possible contacts so that they can be checked and treated if necessary. A full course of treatment and avoiding close head-to-head activities are recommended. There is no medical reason for excluding a child with nits or live lice from school or child care.

Visit ParentinginOttawa.ca for more information on how to treat head lice or call Ottawa Public Health at 613-580-6744 to speak with a public health nurse.
Schools:
Let parents know if a child is suspected of having head lice or if someone in the class has head lice.

When a child is found to have head lice, he or she may remain at school. There is no medical reason for excluding a child with nits or live lice from school or child care. It is essential to handle the situation sensitively and to minimize any embarrassment to the child. The principal can send the Notice to Parents About Head Lice and the Head Lice Fact Sheet to parents of children in the classroom or daycare group where lice has been identified. A full course of treatment and avoiding close head-to-head activities are recommended.

Documents needed:

Your school's public health nurse can provide education, consultation and training to parents, volunteers, and school staff. The head lice information sheet - please ask your school's public health nurse or contact us for more information.

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