Head Lice in Los Angeles
In an effort to curb the continuing problem of head lice in Los Angeles schools, the California Department of Public Health (CHPH) now advocates a "no lice" policy for local school health administrators. This is a move away from the former "no nit" policy, which stated that any child that had a nit, whether or not they had an active live infestation, must be kept home from school.
Studies showed that the "no nit" policy did little to curb the ongoing problem. The no lice policy, on the other hand, will:
- Encourage early identification of active outbreaks through routine screening;
- Allow educational opportunities for schools to communicate with parents on the issue of lice in Los Angeles schools;
- Encourage appropriate levels of treatment for infected students.
Head Lice Removal in Los Angeles
Attendance at school is critically important in the elementary school years, and finding ways to improve attendance continues to be a priority for school administrators. Many school health offices in Los Angeles recommend these steps for dealing with head lice in Los Angeles school children:
- Using a lice killing shampoo or lotion at the first signs of an active outbreak.
- Continued use of the shampoo as directed until all signs of lice are removed.
- Regularly checking for new infestations.
- Using a preventive treatment conditioner often, and a fabric spray to prevent re-infection through caps, hats and linens.
- Checking 14 days after the lice treatment to ensure that lice have not come back.
