Hair-raising problem: Local school battles lice infestation

Hilton Head Island Middle School has had an unusually large outbreak of head lice over the last few weeks, and officials are encouraging parents to take steps with their children to prevent it from spreading more during the last week of school.

According to Principal Sherry DeSimone, about 30 students, most in the eighth grade, were sent home with lice, parasites that live in human hair.

Both DeSimone and school nurse Cindy Robbins said that for a middle school, 30 cases of head lice is more than the norm.

"It's unusual for us to have that in the middle school,"Robbins said. "It's usually in elementary schools."

Before this episode, only two cases were reported at Hilton Head Middle throughout the entire academic year. Elementary schools generally see about 60 cases a year, according to Ann Filizzi, nurse at Hilton Head Island International Baccalaureate Elementary School.

It wasn't hard for Robbins to determine how the lice spread, and to tell parents what they needed to talk to their children about.

"The students are sharing personal items like brushes and hoodies (hooded sweatshirts,)" she said. "We're looking at prevention. It's the Lowcountry. It's summer."

Students who are found to have head lice are sent home with instructions to buy over-the-counter shampoos that will kill the parasites. Parents also need to be sure to wash their children's clothing, sheets, and any other fabric lice could be on, include upholstery in cars and on furniture.

Before being allowed to return to school, students who receive treatment must be checked by a medical professional. Most students are able to return the next day, DeSimone said.