Updated Report Provides New Guidance on Diagnosis and Treatment of Head Lice

Head lice are often a fact among school-aged children especially those ages 2-12.  Although a head lice infestation, or even an exposure to head lice, can cause anxiety among parents and caretakers, head lice infestations are neither a health hazard nor a sign of poor hygiene. Head lice are not responsible for the spread of any disease; no healthy child should be excluded from or miss school time because of head lice.  Schools are encouraged to ban "no nit" ("egg") policies that do not allow children with nits or live lice to attend school.  Keeping kids home from school until they are nit or lice free can have academic and emotional consequences. 

Pediatricians and school nurses are key in helping parents manage head lice infestation and the anxiety that come with it.  School nurses can be key players in helping parents properly diagnosis an infestation in children who are symptomatic at school.  They can assist families who are having a difficult time with recurrent or persistent infestations.  Pediatricians can help ensure proper diagnosis and provide treatment options especially when there are recurrent or persistent infestations.  

There are many ways to treat active infestations, but not all products and techniques have been evaluated for safety and effectiveness.  Parents and caregivers should make sure that any treatment chosen is safe; preferred treatments are easy to use, reasonably priced, and proven to be non‑toxic.  All products must be used exactly according to manufacturer’s instructions. 
 

Read the full updated report for more on the latest diagnosis and treatment protocols.