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Renton School District

Head Lice Information

Spanish version

Head lice are an occasional annoyance for children in schools.  Please check your child’s head every few weeks for signs of lice.  It is easier to tackle the issue when lice are found early. 

Inspect your child’s head and hair, particularly around the ears and at the nape of the neck.  Look for:

  • Intense itching and/or red marks on the scalp
  • Tiny oval whitish eggs (nits). Nits are tightly attached to the hair and will not flake off like dandruff or hair product.
  • Live lice – See the links below for pictures of lice.

To prevent lice, instruct your children not to share combs, brushes, or clothing.  Lice do not jump or fly from one person to another.  They are transmitted only by close contact with persons or articles such as hats, brushes, combs, pillows, coats, etc. which contain the lice or nits on them. 

If you find nits or lice on your child’s head, several steps are needed to get rid of them including correctly using a FDA-appoved lice hair treatment, nit removal and washing all articles in contact with hair in hot water. 

If you find your child has lice, please inform the office staff at school so that school lice procedures can be followed.  Bring your child to the school office to be checked prior to returning to the classroom.  It is also helpful to inform the adults in charge of other children with whom your child has close contact, such as close friends, daycare, sports teams or youth groups.  

Consult your child’s health care provider if you do not have success treating the lice with over-the-counter products.

Head Lice Procedure