Leslie Agostini, MSN, BSN, RN, Coordinator of Health Services

311 E. North St. Manteca, CA 95336

Tel (209) 858-0782 • Fax (209) 858-7513

Manteca Unified School District:

Pediculosis Management Procedure

Procedures

Head lice, while a significant social problem, do not transmit disease to humans. Head lice move
by crawling and cannot jump or fly. It is not common for lice to spread through sharing clothes or
personal items such as toys, towels or combs. The greatest risk of transmission is between people who
have had direct head to head contact when one person has an active case of head lice.

While head lice infestations among students does require treatment, research and literature do
not support school exclusion for lice infestations. The goals of treatment are to contain the infestation, to
prevent overexposure to potentially hazardous chemical, to minimize school absence, and to maximize
the opportunity for student academic success.

If a student is found with active head lice or nits the following steps should be taken:
• The student should be allowed to stay in school until the end of the school day.
• If live lice are found the administrator will determine whether the student will remain in the
office or in the classroom. The student must be allowed a place where the they can do their
work to promote continued access to education opportunities. If a student is kept in the office
in place of sending back to class the student must be offered opportunities to have recess,
bathroom breaks and lunch.
• Any other student/s that live in the same household as the affected student should also be
examined for head lice.
• The school nurse or health clerk should contact the parent/guardian and provide them with
information regarding the treatment of head lice. Both the use of treated shampoos and metal
nit coombs should be discussed as well as washing clothing, bedding and sealing items in a
plastic bag for two weeks. Boiling brushes, combs, hair bands or barrettes in water for five
minutes or soaking them in rubbing alcohol for an hour. Vacuuming carpets and furniture daily.
• Parent/guardian should be informed that the student will be checked upon the return to
school. Student should be allowed to stay in school if no active lice are detected. If the student
still has nits the student can remain at school and parent/guardian should be encouraged to
continue to use the nit comb.
• If determined that several unrelated students in one classroom are infested with head lice, the
principal or designee may use their discretion to notify parents/guardians of students in that
class and provide them with information about the detection and treatment of head lice.
• Classroom checks should be avoided as they can cause embarrassment to students.
• Staff shall maintain the privacy of students identified as having head lice.
 • Parent will bring the student to office the day after treatment and office staff will check to
determine if live lice are still present. If still present the parent will be asked to take the
student home and follow up with primary care physician for possible medical treatment of live
lice.
• When live, lice remain after treatment further monitoring and parent/ guardian contact by the
school nurse or health clerk is needed.

Busing
• If the child is not picked up and takes the bus home the office staff will privately inform the bus
driver of the situation and the child will be placed in a seat in the front of the bus.
• The parent will be required to provide transportation the next morning so that the child can be
cleared by the office before returning to class.

Chronic head lice can be defined as an infestation of head lice lasting six consecutive
weeks or multiple infestations that occur during three separate months of the school year. It is
important to identify these children as this may signify other family of socioeconomic
problems. These chronic cases should be reported to the school nurse to determine the best
approach in identifying and resolving the issues.