Chronic Head Lice

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Specializes in School Nursing.

Hello everyone I hope you are all doing well.

I have a question in regards to a student. They are being sent home often for head lice. The mother states verbally to me when the student has a f/u she has treated the student and I can see they are clear (nits still present, no live lice-able to return per policy). I am strongly leaning to reporting. Do I have enough reasoning to do so? Thanks for your advice I appreciate you all.

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Specializes in School Nursing.

CPS rarely investigates for chronic lice infestations, unless there is medical neglect along with it (open sores from scratching, infection going untreated, etc.)

There usually has to be other signs of neglect and/or abuse along with the chronic lice.

Good luck. I've had my share of children facing neglect and often chronic lice is just one of the issues.

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Specializes in School Nurse.

I love info from Baby Center. https://www.babycenter.com/lice

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Specializes in school nursing, ortho, trauma.

i've had a little with chronic lice the past few weeks. It's evident to me that the child was getting treated, but that it wasn't enough. I advised the parent, after questioning her to ensure she was taking proper steps to treat the house, to take the child to the MD to possibly get a different treatment agent than the OTC stuff. The child does have an open case with CPS, so we also mentioned it to them.

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Specializes in School Nurse, past Med Surge.

Not until you make sure she's treating the house & combing every couple days for at least two weeks.

But why would you report if it seems like mom is trying to take care of the problem? If nothing were being done, I'd lean more towards reporting. Have you done more education with mom on the other steps to make sure she's fully treating the problem?

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Specializes in School Nursing.

In my area CPS could care less about lice. My suggestion is that you find a resource that could possibly pay for the family to go to a lice salon. Do you all have those in your area? The salon will remove all lice and treat the entire family. They even give a 30 day guarantee. We have a community organization that has helped out with this in the past and it has really made a difference.

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Specializes in School Nursing.

I have taught the parent multiple times and also referred her to MD to seek prescription medication. I will teach my parents via person, verbal and written. I also send them home with supplies if I have any and also cheaper treatment pamphlets as well. At this time I am unsure what to do. The mother states she is treating but everytime I see the student they always have infestation of nits and then when I f/u the student has lice again.

25 minutes ago, Nurse Jen said:

In my area CPS could care less about lice. My suggestion is that you find a resource that could possibly pay for the family to go to a lice salon. Do you all have those in your area? The salon will remove all lice and treat the entire family. They even give a 30 day guarantee. We have a community organization that has helped out with this in the past and it has really made a difference.

Thank you I will look into this they may have to travel an hour but I will look into this. I appreciate the idea

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Specializes in School Nurse, past Med Surge.
3 minutes ago, Purple036 said:

everytime I see the student they always have infestation of nits

Sounds like mom's not combing after treatment to me. Have you asked they keep combing? My littles are usually a lot more forthcoming than their parents. ?

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Specializes in School Nurse.

Combing is #1, they should comb every few days. Use conditioner to help with the pulling.

Some cultures don't think lice is such a problem as other cultures - could this be a reason? I had a friend that was a teacher in an Inuit village and everyone had lice - according to her!

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First off, make sure admin is aware and can help partner with you. Sometimes if the principal gets involved, things are taken a little more seriously.

You can also refer the entire family to a lice treatment center-chances are another family member has it too.

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Specializes in School Nursing.
45 minutes ago, tining said:

Combing is #1, they should comb every few days. Use conditioner to help with the pulling.

Some cultures don't think lice is such a problem as other cultures - could this be a reason? I had a friend that was a teacher in an Inuit village and everyone had lice - according to her!

I don't think the mother takes it as seriously just personally not culture wise.

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Specializes in School Nursing.
3 hours ago, SaltineQueen said:

Sounds like mom's not combing after treatment to me. Have you asked they keep combing? My littles are usually a lot more forthcoming than their parents. ?

Yes the kids do tell you everything and they normally tell you the truth. When I ask the student did mom wash your hair or comb it most of the time she says no. The student states mom picked at her head and sent her to school. I gave the parent a comb I received at a conference. Have yall heard of Welcomb? They have a cheaper kit at the dollar general for $10 and it has the same comb in the package along with hair treatment.

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