HEAD LICE INFORMATION: We have had a small number of cases of head lice already this year.

Head lice and their eggs are extremely hard to get rid of and most people think that they will disappear after one treatment with the correct shampoo. Unfortunately, the only thing the first treatment with shampoo does, is get rid of the live lice. Their eggs are still firmly cemented to the hair shaft and still contain a functioning and very much alive louse just waiting to hatch and start the whole process again. Head lice do not care whether hair is dirty or clean. They cannot fly but they can jump, so when kids work together in a group and get their heads close together they will jump from one head to the next. They can also float so they will float in a swimming pool and latch onto the next head that comes swimming past. To get rid of head lice you will need to follow these steps to ensure they are completely gone: 

1. Treat the hair with head lice treatment. 

2. Coat the hair in a thick layer of conditioner then gladwrap for an hour and comb your hair repeatedly with a nit comb. 

3. Remove all bedding and wash in a hot wash and then hang outside in the sun for a whole day. (If possible sleep in another bed for 3 nights because lice cannot survive for more than 3 days without a live host). 

4. Re-treat hair with head lice treatment 5-7 days later and then again in another 5-7 days. - Public Health Nurses