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Head Lice in Schools
- Head lice are common in school-age kids. The biggest problem is over-reaction by well-meaning adults -
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Summary: Head lice are common in school-age children and outbreaks occur frequently. When outbreaks occur schools should not respond with "no-nit" policies. Head lice can be managed with medications and proper nit combing.
Jack DeAngelis, PhD
OSU Ext. Entomologist (ret.)
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Lice identification
 These pages will help you identify and get rid of head lice. There are three types of lice (singular: louse) that bite humans. Other animals, like birds and mammals, have their own species of lice but humans are host to the following three species. Head lice (Pediculus humanus capitis), body lice (Pediculus humanus humanus) and pubic lice (Pthirus pubis).
Head lice and pubic lice attach their eggs, called nits, to head and body hairs whereas body lice lay their nits in clothing. The location of nits (clothing versus hair), therefore, can be used to easily determine which louse (body louse versus pubic or head louse) you are dealing with.
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human louse about 2 mm (1/16") long
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Common misspellings and misnomers for head lice: headlice, cooties
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Lice infestation
Head lice (upper right) are common ectoparasites (external, blood-feeding) of people, especially school-age children. They bite to obtain blood much like mosquitoes. Bites cause itchy wounds but they do not transmit diseases.
Head lice are most common in kids where they can be found in any group regardless of socioeconomic level. Head lice are transmitted by person to person contact and sharing of personal items which is why they tend to be more common in this group. However, anyone in the family can become infested.
Unfortunately, head lice cause much over-reaction and over-treatment by well-meaning adults. They can be effectively managed despite growing problems with insecticide resistance to pyrethrum and permethrin.
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Lice treatments
Head lice treatment is passionately debated by parents, teachers and everyone concerned about kid's health. The bottom line is head lice are treatable, they are not a serious medical concern, and they should not be a reason for missed school days. Here are our suggestions for lice treatments that actually work.
As you'll see nit (louse egg) removal, or "nit-picking", is the most important step. Hair can be treated with oils and conditioners to aid combing to remove nits. Medicated shampoos or creme rinses can be used to kill immature and adult lice.
Additional information:
Human Lice Guide (pdf) -- Download this free Guide for biology and control information as well as additional pictures of human lice, nits and lice combs. You'll need Acrobat Reader of equivalent to open this pdf file.
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Safer, botanical pesticides for indoor use
New botanical insectcides can be safely used indoors for a variety of pests. See label instructions for these applications. As with any insecticide, please read and carefully follow these instructions.
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