Miami Beach School Lice Policy

Schools in the Miami-Dade school district, including Miami Beach, still enforce a strict “no nit” head lice policy. This means that children will not be allowed to attend school if there are any nits found on their heads.

MIAMI BEACH

HEAD LICE (PEDICULOSIS CAPITIS) DESCRIPTION:

Lice are light gray insects that lay eggs or “nit” in hair, especially at the nape of the neck and about the ears. The life cycle of the head louse has three stages: egg, nymph, and adult.

SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS:

Early signs may be itching caused by the bite of the louse (insect) and red bite marks and scratch marks may be observed on the scalp and neck. The presence of nits (eggs) attached to the hair shaft close to the scalp may exist in the absence of itching.

INCUBATION PERIOD:

The incubation period from laying eggs to hatching of the first nymph is 6 to 10 days. Mature adult lice capable of reproducing do not appear until 2 to 3 weeks later.

MODE OF TRANSMISSION:

Lice spread only when they crawl from person to person directly or when they crawl onto shared personal items; i.e., combs brushes, hats, bedding, etc.

PERIOD OF COMMUNICABILITY: A person is infectious as long as lice or nits remain on their head or clothing.

PREVENTION:

Contact the Department of Comprehensive Health Services for information on prevention (305-995-1235).

IMPLICATIONS FOR SCHOOLS:  

Exclude any students with lice or nits until satisfactorily treated and there are NO NITS found in the hair.

“No Nit” school lice policies are not a problem for LiceDoctors. We have decades of experience getting kids back to class quickly. Call 786-358-5460 today and your child will back in school in no time!