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Schools in the Mesa area have come into alignment with current advice from the American Academy of Pediatrics and the National Association of School Nurses; they do not hold to a strict “no nit” policy.
The school health office does not do classroom screenings. They are strongly discouraged by the American Academy of Pediatrics and the National Association of School Nurses
Screening should be performed only when students demonstrate symptoms. Head lice is not an unusual condition in children and has nothing to do with cleanliness. Anyone can get head lice. Head lice are very small, tan-colored insects (less than 1/8" long) which live on human heads. They lay their eggs (nits) close to the scalp. The nits are tiny (about the size of the eye of a needle) and gray or white in color.
CAUSE: Pediculus humanus capitis
SYMPTOMS: Itching of the scalp and neck. Look for: 1) crawling lice in the hair, usually a few in number; 2) eggs (nits) glued to the hair, often found behind the ears and at the back of the neck; 3) scratch marks on the head and back of the neck at the hairline.
SPREAD: Lice are spread by direct head-to-head contact and by sharing personal items such as combs, brushes, barretts, hats, head phones, scarves, jackets, blankets, sheets and pillowcases.
Lice do not jump or fly, they crawl. They cannot live off a human host for more than 48 hours. They only lay their eggs while on the head. Lice are not spread to or from pets.
INCUBATION: It takes 7-10 days from when the eggs are laid until they hatch.
CONTAGIOUS PERIOD: Until treated with lice-treatment product.
EXCLUSION: Until first treatment is completed and no live lice are seen.”
Source Zaharis Elementary Health Office
If your child contracts head lice, it can be stressful even if your school doesn‘t exclude attendance for a single egg or nit. LiceDoctors can come at your convenience and alleviate your stress by eliminating the lice and leaving you with an easy follow up plan to make sure the lice do not return. Call 602-753-0289 in the Mesa area today.
