Parent Information Sheet

It will come as no surprise to many parents that head lice infestations in our children appear to be on the increase. The reasons for this increase are not clear, though there is recent evidence from research in Queensland schools that some head lice are resistant to the common chemical head lice treatments available.

NITBUSTERS is a joint project between NSW Health, NSW Department of Education & Training, Federation of School Councils and the Federation of P & C Associations. The project aims to educate schools, children and parents about head lice and how to remove them.

For the Project to be successful in your school, every child should be involved. It takes just one infested head to infest the whole class! One of the key messages of the project is that anyone and everyone can catch nits, regardless of your age, sex or background. Treatment needs to be community-based and ongoing.

NITBUSTERS is about the school community running a Nitbusting Day in your school. The school's parent body organises the day by providing helpers to screen and treat all children for head lice. The screening is done by mums and dads on a class by class basis, with the infant's children done early in the school day.

Each child needs a signed Parent Consent Form before they can be screened. No child can participate without a signed consent form, nor penalised in any way for not participating, though every child is encouraged to participate. Parents/guardians and/or children can withdraw from the screening at any time. Those children not participating can learn how to remove lice and eggs and identify them.

The Parent Consent Form is to be returned to the school before the Nitbusting Day. Either the children or their parents/guardians can return these to the school office. A separate consent form must be filled out for each child.

On Nitbusters Day, each child will have their hair inspected to determine if there is an active infestation. Parent helpers will wear gloves to undertake the screening. If nits (the eggs) or lice are found then regular hair conditioner will be applied to the dry hair and combed through. When the tangles are removed with the large comb, the fine lice comb will be used to remove lice and nits.

Upon completion, the child's hair will be combed and tidied. The conditioner will not be rinsed off. Experience has shown that rinsing off the conditioner in the schoolyard is not easy! The conditioner will not damage the hair and can be simply rinsed off when they return home. Children will be encouraged to watch and help detect lice on their classmates.

The lice and detangle combs are cleaned between each treatment in hot soapy water and rinsed in running hot water. Head lice are killed at 60 degrees Celsius. If a child's head appears infected, raw or has some lesions or psoriasis, the child will not be screened. Volunteers are required to wear disposable rubber gloves.

A note will be sent home to all parents indicating whether lice or nits were detected on your children. All parents/guardians, regardless of whether their children participated in the program, will receive an information sheet on how to treat for head lice.

The school P & C is encouraged to run a Nitbusters Day each term and use the school newsletter to promote regular head checks by parents. Nitbusters urges parents and schools not to give up on head lice—remember they can be managed!