Do teachers get head lice?

[PennyGold]

Is it common for teachers to get head lice?
I'm new to teaching and there's been an outbreak of nits in my school, I've combed my hair and can't find anything (don't know if the itching is because I'm freaking myself out).
Is it an accepted thing that you'll get them at some point?
I work in EYFS and KS1 so the kids are more 'needy' always wanting a cuddle or to sit right next to you.
I know it isn't a 'bad thing' to get them but I remember having to sit for hours and hours every night getting my hair combed when I was a child (and honestly with planning I really don't have the time).

If your head touches a head that has lice then you can get them. Depends just how close you get to them I suppose.

Yes, primary teachers can and do get them. My friend used to deep condition and nit comb her hair regularly, just In case and to be sure they were caught early on. Follow the same principles as the kids, hair tied up etc. You'll soon get to know who is prone to them in your class.

Keep your hair tied up and use tea tree shampoo/conditioner and you’ll have a very good chance of not getting them. Then, like Spring says, you’ll soon figure out who to be more cautious around.

I also have a hunch that using straighteners keeps them at bay (or fries them up?! )

Two teachers in this house and no nits in a veeerrrryyyyy long time.

I’ve just jinxed myself haven’t I...

My son’s teacher used to tie her hair back and wear a thin headband, precisely to avoid catching nits.

I work in a school and I deep condition and comb with a nit comb frequently. Not found anything to date but I start itching when I know theres head lice at school.

Yup, they can and do. I never wear my hair loose for teaching and nits is the primary reason!

To add, like pp, never had them but always get the itch!!

Yes, I’m a TA and get them. I usually wear my hair back, but they do want cuddles. Sitting on y2 chairs helping them in lessons means their heads at my head height

I have 4 dc also. It’s difficult...

I was an EYFS teacher. I used conditioner and a nit comb every time I washed my hair. I also used hair spray which, I was told, puts them off. I managed 30 years without getting infested although at the first mention of head lice I started to itch.

Early Years children are very prone to nestling up against you and it's very difficult to just push them away even if you know they are crawling. Wait until you get a parent who blames you for giving their child head lice - it's happened to me several times. Obviously, I had a box of them which I handed out to children as treats.

I'm not a teacher, but I did a first aid course with one once and she considered nits to be a part of the job and told me she'd had them 5 times a year. I hate nits and I'm scratching my head just reading this, we can put a man on the moon but can't eradicate the pests!

I'm a primary teacher and have never caught them, I reckon it's using straighteners like a pp suggested (any hitchhikers are fried!) x

I used to condition my hair and use a metal but comb every week. Gave me peace of mind!

Tea tree oil is the answer. On your brush, in your shampoo, in your conditioner, after you rinse...

Thanks everyone, you've been super helpful! I'll invest in some tea tree shampoo and condition and comb every week. I usually have my hair up at school and I straighten it every other day so hopefully i won't get them!
Thanks again!

I've got the type of hair they really don't seem to like - fine, uncooperative as fuck, poker straight - managed about 15 years in schools before the little sods caught up with me. Some people on my PGCE managed... half a first teaching practice and were clawing at their heads when they returned to uni!

Oh yeah and I've also had worms from the little cherubs as well!

Apparently the sand tray is a breeding ground for worms.

@CaptainMyCaptain oh hell, I'm always in the sandpit!

When my older DC were in school, their nursery teacher told me she'd get them regularly. She wore her hair quite short anyway but found using a ton of hairspray helped prevent catching them.

Yes, occupational hazard.
If you condition and nit comb regularly, you might not though. Obviously keep hair tied back too.

I don't call the little darlings plague rats for nothing 🤣
Headlice, worms, ringworm, impetigo, conjunctivitus - just a few of the icky things they've passed onto me over the years 🤣

I always wear my hair up and am very particular about my personal space in the classroom! Never had headlice in ten years of teaching until I caught them from my own sodding children

Nitcomb in the shower every time you wash your hair. Helps keep them at bay. Tea tree oil or conditioner.

I got them on my primary experience, the first 2 weeks before I started my pgce. Realised I was infested first day in university with all new people. I was so embarrassed then - now I realise it is nothing to be embarrassed about!

Yep. Headlice, warts and ringworm plus WVS.