Orritor Primary School and Nursery Unit,  Cookstown, County Tyrone

Important Reminder: Routine Head Lice Checks

13th Apr 2026

Dear Parents and Guardians,

We are writing to share a friendly reminder about the importance of regularly checking your child's hair for head lice.

Head lice are incredibly common among school-aged children and are just a normal part of growing up. They do not carry diseases and are not a sign of poor hygiene—in fact, they are just as happy in clean hair as in dirty hair! However, they do spread quickly in environments where children play closely together.

By making regular checks a part of your weekly routine, we can work together to catch any cases early and prevent widespread outbreaks in our community.

Why Regular Checks Matter

  • Early Detection: Catching lice early makes them much easier to treat and eliminates the frustration of a lingering problem.

  • Preventing the Spread: Regular checks stop lice from traveling to classmates, friends, and other family members.

  • Comfort for Your Child: Lice can cause intense itching and discomfort, leading to distracted days and sleepless nights.

How to Check

We recommend checking your child’s hair once a week. The most effective method is "wet combing":

  1. Wash your child's hair and apply a generous amount of standard hair conditioner.

  2. Comb through the hair with a regular comb to remove tangles.

  3. Switch to a fine-toothed detection comb (available at any pharmacy).

  4. Comb from the roots to the ends, checking the comb for lice or nits (eggs) after each stroke. Pay special attention to the areas behind the ears and at the nape of the neck.

What to Do If You Find Head Lice

If you spot live lice, don't panic!

  • Treat immediately: Visit your local pharmacy for an over-the-counter lotion or spray designed to treat head lice, and follow the instructions carefully.

  • Check the family: Check everyone else in the household and treat anyone who has live lice.

  • Inform us: Please let [School/Organization Name] know so we can discreetly encourage other parents to be extra vigilant with their checks.

Thank you so much for your cooperation and for helping us keep our kids comfortable and focused on learning and playing!