LICE TIPS

The Fort Myers area retains a “no nit” policy. Lee County Schools, in which Fort Myers is located, retains a “no nit” policy. Under this policy, students are not allowed to return to school until all nits or lice are removed from the student’s hair. The policy advocates that the checks be done “discreetly so that a student and/or parent is not embarrassed or otherwise victimized.” Lee County’s policy also states that the entire class should be checked when a student has nits or lice.

Department of Education and the Kentucky School Board Association now support recommendations that schools discontinue "no-nits" policies.

The New Jersey Department of Health advocates that children with nits should be allowed to remain in school and that “no nit” policies should be discouraged. Despite this, some districts in New Jersey continue to maintain “no nit” policies in an effort to discourage the spread of head lice within the school.

Head lice do not carry disease, and are not considered a public health threat. Cases of head lice do not need to be reported to the state or county health department.

In the Worcester area, as with many areas, school head lice policies are left up to the individual districts. Some districts have "no nit" policies, which prohibit children with lice eggs from returning to schools. Other schools have more lenient policies and allow children to return to school with nits, but not with live lice.

In some areas in the Tidewater region, school lice policies are becoming more lenient, while some still maintain “no nit” policies.

Hartford schools no longer have a “no nit” policy as long as students have been treated for lice. “If live lice or nits appearing in close proximity to scalp or on clothing are observed the student is to be considered to have pediculosis. In this situation the Principal will exclude the student, and the nurse will instruct the parent or guardian on treatment procedures and precautions against spreading. The school nurse aide or Principal will notify parents immediately.

Memphis School Lice Policy The National Pediculosis Association (NPA) recommends a stringent “nit-free” policy for children returning to school after a lice infestation, according to its Web site, www.headlice.org. The association says that because head lice are becoming resistant to insecticide shampoos. It’s important to remove any remaining nits with a special fine-toothed comb before letting a child return to school.”

Montgomery County schools retain a “no nit” policy for all nits located closer than ½ from the scalp. If a student has nits (eggs) that are near the scalp and/or live bugs, that student is sent home and not permitted to return to school until he or she has been treated and there are no visible nits (within a half inch from the scalp) remaining in the hair.

Syracuse Schools allow students to remain in school after treatment for lice. There is no longer a “no nit” policy in place. The Syracuse Department of Health Services in working with students and staff regarding head lice aims to: