Bellevue and Redmond Public Schools Lice Policy

Bellevue Schools no longer have a “no nit” policy.

“Head lice are small insects with six legs usually the size of a sesame seed (the seeds on burger buns). Head lice feed on human blood several times during a 24 hour period. The primary symptom of head lice is scalp itch. This is caused by a reaction to the saliva a head louse deposits as it bites into the host.

They live on or very close to the scalp and don’t wander far down the hair shafts for very long. They are best seen in bright light and will move if light is directed to scalp. Common in the area behind the ears and the back of the neck.

They can only live on human beings; you can’t catch them from animals (or spread them to animals). Nits are not the same thing as lice. Lice are the insects which move around the head. Nits are egg cases laid by lice, stuck on to hair shafts with sticky glue; they are smaller than a pin head and are pearly white. They are usually within 1 inch from the scalp and must be pulled off with a NIT comb or fingernail. If object can be “blown” or “whisked” from hair it is most likely dry skin or dandruff.

If you have nits it doesn’t always mean that you have head lice. When you have got rid of all the live lice, the nits must be combed out of hair over a period of days and weeks before they hatch.

You only have head lice if you can find a living, moving louse (not a nit) on the scalp.

Anybody can get head lice. It is not a sign of uncleanliness or poor housekeeping. Lice do not discriminate.Head lice infections are caught from close family and friends in the home and community, not from the school. Sleep overs with shared pillows is a common culprit for the spread of lice.Spread of head lice requires direct head to head contact. They can’t swim, fly, hop or jump.” Source: Bellevue School District Health Resources

While schools have become more lenient regarding attendance with lice, you still need to get rid of the case. Lice will not go away by themselves. If you find that you have a head lice situation in your family, give LiceDoctors a call. An experienced lice technician will come to your home and treat you in absolute privacy. All treatments are guaranteed for 30 days and service is available 365 days and nights a year. Call today in the Bellevue and Redmond area at 206-316-8637 .