Empower Students to Improve Communities
Head Lice
Head lice are annoying, but they are not dangerous and do not cause disease.
Schools often see a spike in cases of lice after a school break; such as at the beginning of the year, after the winter holidays, and again after spring break. This is often falsely attributed to a return to school but is actually due to being in the community for an extended period of time; spent at sleepovers, camps, visiting relatives and playdates.
Symptoms include tickling sensations, itching, and difficulty sleeping.
Social stigma, myths and falsities around lice can lead to misdiagnosis and reluctance to report it. We encourage you to consult the following information below and reach out to your school nurse if you have any questions.