Head Lice

Head Lice Toolkit for Schools

Head lice are most common among preschool- and elementary school-aged children and their household members and caregivers. Reports of head lice infestations often increase when children gather together, particularly at the start of the school year or after extended breaks. Schools, childcare facilities and other partner agencies can use these resources to communicate about head lice to parents and caregivers, who are responsible for head lice control and treatment among their children. Key times for messaging and awareness include:

Back-to-school events
Before and after holiday/summer breaks
Head Lice Prevention Month (September)
Throughout the school year, as needed

Head lice do not spread disease, but they are a significant nuisance and can cause distress among children, caretakers and families. Head lice spread easily through head-to-head contact, most often at home or at a friend's house (not at school). Information about identifying, preventing and controlling head lice can help ease parents' concerns and reduce the spread of head lice among young children, their families and close contacts.

Toolkit Contents

Head Lice Can Happen | PowerPoint Template (.PPTX) – presentation for parents and caregivers including an overview of head lice identification, treatment and prevention

Speaker notes are included to assist the presenter
Slides can be customized and modified to best suit the audience (see slide 2)

Letter Templates – for communication with parents and caregivers about head lice

Back-to-School Reminder (.DOCX) – general reminder to check for head lice
Head Lice Found at School (.DOCX) – general notification that head lice have been identified at the school or facility
Head Lice Found on Your Child (.DOCX) – notification to parent/caregiver that their child has head lice and should be treated

Head Lice Flyer (PDF) – printable resource to send home with students in take-home packets to parents/caregivers
Common Myths and Facts About Head Lice (PDF) – resource for staff and parents/caregivers to help answer common questions about head lice

Head Lice Treatment Checklist (PDF) – checklist for parents/caregivers to use when treating their child for head lice

Social Media Messages and Graphics (below) – sample messaging and graphics to mix and match as desired

Social Media Messaging

Click an image to view and download (right-click and select “Save image as”)

	Suggested message: Back to school season is here, and head lice might be too. Did you know head lice are more likely to spread at home or at a friend's house than in the classroom? During play dates and sleepovers, keep heads apart and don't share personal items. Learn more: https://go.cdph.ca.gov/HeadLice #HeadLiceHappen #PreventHeadLice
	Suggested message: DYK? Head lice are common among school-aged kids. Symptoms include: A “tickling" feeling in the hair Itchy head or scalp Irritability or trouble sleeping Head lice can be prevented! Keep personal items to yourself and avoid touching heads with others. Learn more: https://go.cdph.ca.gov/HeadLice #HeadLiceHappen #PreventHeadLice
	Suggested message: Back to school and worried about head lice? Head lice are more likely to spread at home or at a friend's house than in the classroom. Teach kids to avoid activities that could spread head lice, like: Head-to-head contact during play Sharing personal items like clothes, hats, brushes or hair ties Get more information: https://go.cdph.ca.gov/HeadLice #HeadLiceHappen #PreventHeadLice
	Suggested message: Head lice can be a serious nuisance – they live in the hair and can cause intense itching – but they don't spread disease. Consistently check children for head lice at home so any lice can be caught early and treated. Learn how and where to check: https://go.cdph.ca.gov/HeadLice #HeadLiceHappen
	Suggested message: Head lice can happen to anyone. Having head lice is NOT a sign of being “dirty" or living in an unclean environment. Freshly washed hair can still be home to head lice, too. Stay informed, not ashamed! Learn more: https://go.cdph.ca.gov/HeadLice #HeadLiceHappen
	Suggested message: Parents and caregivers: Be proactive about checking your child for head lice. Use a nit comb to look through your child's hair for head lice crawling or nits (eggs) glued close to the scalp. Learn what to do if you find head lice: https://go.cdph.ca.gov/HeadLice #HeadLiceHappen
	Suggested message: Parents and caregivers: Consistently check your children for head lice at home. Here's what to look for: Lice about the size of a sesame seed crawling on hairs or the scalp Tiny nits (head lice eggs) that stick to the hair near the scalp If you can easily brush it out of the hair, it's not a nit. Learn more about lice and how to get rid of them: https://go.cdph.ca.gov/HeadLice #HeadLiceHappen
	Suggested messages: Found head lice? Don't panic. Take action right away to prevent the spread of head lice to close contacts: Check all household members. Treat (only) those with head lice in the same day. Use lice-killing hair treatment products and comb for nits. If you're unsure how to treat, talk to a health care provider. Learn more: https://go.cdph.ca.gov/HeadLice -- Found head lice? Don't panic, take action! Check all household members. Treat (only) those with head lice the same day. Use lice-killing hair treatment products and comb for nits. If you're unsure how to treat, talk to a health care provider. https://go.cdph.ca.gov/HeadLice #HeadLiceHappen
	Suggested messages: How to control head lice? Over-the-counter treatments are available at your local pharmacy. There's no proof that other products like mayonnaise, olive oil and tea tree oil work to kill lice. Remember to use a nit comb to remove nits (head lice eggs). Nit combing is an important step in controlling head lice. Learn more: https://go.cdph.ca.gov/HeadLice -- How to control head lice? Over-the-counter treatments are available at your local pharmacy. Remember to use a nit comb to remove nits (head lice eggs). Nit combing is an important step in controlling head lice. Learn more: https://go.cdph.ca.gov/HeadLice #HeadLiceHappen
	Suggested message: September is National Head Lice Prevention Month. School-aged kids are most likely to get head lice, but anyone can get them. The BEST way to prevent head lice is to not touch heads with someone else. Only people can get head lice (not pets), and having head lice is not a sign of being dirty. Learn more about head lice and what to look for: https://go.cdph.ca.gov/HeadLice #HeadLiceHappen #PreventHeadLice