LICE TIPS

Little Rock schools have dropped their "no nit" policies, but do not allow students to remain in school with live bugs.

The Kansas Bureau of Epidemiology and Public Health Informatics recently changed its policy regarding admission to the school. It is no longer mandatory for children to be "nit-free" in order to be admitted back into school.

Whereas many school districts across the country are moving away from “no nit” school lice policies, some schools in the Panhandle region of Florida retain “no nit” policies.

While many school districts across the U.S. have dropped their “no nit” lice policies, most schools in the Baton Rouge area still have “no nit” policies, which means that if a student returns to school with nits or lice eggs he or she will not be admitted.

“What is Colorado’s school policy regarding head lice and nit removal? My friend’s kids got into school with nits in their hair and at my kids’ school, the nurse won’t let them in with any nits even though I have done head lice treatments on them.” Marie D. in Denver, Colorado Each state has its own guidelines regarding allowing children back into school with head lice or nits. Some schools have a “no nit” while other schools do not.

Richmond schools generally maintain “no nit” policies. In the Richmond, Virginia area, schools generally maintain “no nit” policies which is in line with advice from the National Pediculosis Association in Newton, MA.

The lice policy for the Chicago Public Schools is in accordance with the guidelines of the American Academy of Pediatrics and the National Association of School Nurses and as such allows for children who still have nits, but have been treated, to return to school.

This district follows the CDC recommendations which do not exclude students from attendance for either live bugs or nits. The policy indicates that a student may be excluded from school if that is in accordance with generally accepted medical standards. As we contract for all health services through the Lexington Fayette County Health Department, the district has been advised that exclusion is not necessary in most cases.

The Indiana State Department of Health states that most school districts no longer have "no nit" lice policies in place. This means that children found to have lice eggs may return to school after treatment. The Department of Health does not endorse any lice policy; the decision of whether to have a "no nit" policy is left up to the individual school districts.

Students with active cases of lice should be allowed to remain in school for the day if it is likely that they will not be in close contact with other students.