NEW HEAD LICE POLICIES IN SCHOOL
Recent studies and recommendations about head lice have prompted many school districts to change their head lice policies. Some school districts are now following the recommendation of the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and National Association of School Nurses (NASN), which both say children found with live lice or nits should remain in class. Parents are to be notified at the end of the day and are expected to treat the child for lice.
REDUCTION IN NO NIT POLICIES
There are few schools that still adhere to a “no nit policy”, meaning a child with nits (lice eggs) must be sent home and cannot return to school unless they are completely nit free.
Both the AAP and NASN argue that lice do not pose a health risk and keeping kids out of school leads to missed learning opportunities and potentially lost family wages.
LICE LETTERS AND LICE SCREENINGS
The NASN also recommends schools do not conduct mass screenings for lice or nits. They refer to a study showing control measures such as lice checks have not been shown to have a significant effect on the incidence of head lice in schools and are not cost effective.
The group also says communication with parents highlighting cases of head lice (the infamous lice letters), has been shown to increase community anxiety and increase social stigma, causing embarrassment of affected infested students.
We often hear from frustrated parents who wish the school would notify them if there is a lice outbreak. However, as the NASN points out, letters sent home have little effect on preventing lice infestations.
WHAT CAN PARENTS DO?
Whether or not your child’s school conducts lice screenings or sends letters home, we recommend all parents conduct weekly head checks on their children. For example, every Sunday night after bath time. By doing this, you will catch a case of lice early and prevent it from spread among family and friend groups.
GET RID OF LICE THE FIRST TIME
If you do detect head lice in your child, it’s important to research all of your options for a safe and effective treatment. We hear from parents every day who have treated with over the counter lice shampoos multiple times over weeks or months and their child still has lice. That’s because lice have developed resistance to the chemicals found in the most common over the counter products, which means they are only about 20% effective.
Pediatric Hair Solutions uses a non-toxic solution that suffocates and kills all live bugs and a heated air device that dehydrates and desiccates all nits. It is the safest and most effective solution on the market with a 30 day 100% guarantee.
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