Dear Parents/Carers/Guardians
Head Lice
It has been brought to our attention that there have been some cases of head lice recently at the School. We are therefore issuing this letter as a precaution. If you regularly check your child’s hair by wet combing at least once a
week, please carry on as normal. If you have forgotten recently, please could you check your child’s hair using the wet combing method as follows: –
• Obtain a plastic detection comb from your Clinic, Health Centre or local Chemist
• While the hair is very wet, comb through the hair from the roots with a fine toothcomb. Using conditioner may make this easier.
• Make sure the teeth of the comb slot into the hair at the roots with every stroke and do this over a pale surface, such as a paper towel or the bath.
• Remember to comb all areas of the scalp, not forgetting the hairline.
If any lead lice are found, the wet combing method is also the recommended treatment.
• Use a comb on wet hair as above
• Clear the comb of lice between each stroke
• Wet lice find it difficult to escape and hair which is slippery makes it hard for them to keep a grip, so removal with the comb is easier
• This routine should be repeated every 3-4 days for three weeks so that any lice emerging from the eggs are removed before they can spread.
For heavy infestations, lotions may be useful in certain circumstances and are available from your local pharmacist or GP. However, lotions are not 100% effective and will not protect against infestation.
Regular checking using the wet combing method once a week is recommended for detection and prevention of head lice. Used correctly, this should enable you to care for your child’s hair without the use of insecticide or rinses.
If you need any further help or advice with the wet combing method or head lice problems, please do not hesitate to contact me at the School.
Yours faithfully
A Gibson
Head’s PA/HR Manager