Lice policy

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Op here- not angry just grossed out. Can't believe the kids don't have to go home and be checked before they can come back.

We were told that the official policy is that if a family self-reports, the child must be cleared by the school nurse before going back to school. Also that it would be helpful to bring the treatment we used to show the nurse. Lice was going around DD's class this fall. The school sent home flyers reminding parents to check their kids and saying that there had been cases of lice in DD's grade. When DD had lice, I shampooed and combed and then shampooed and combed again a week later per the instructions. Two weeks after the first case (after being clean for two weeks), she had them again, so I strongly suspect that the other parents were not checking/treating/reporting. I was told that DCPS cannot do any more than that. That even if there is a case reported in one class/grade, they couldn't proactively check the whole class. I understand not checking the whole school, but I think that not checking the class makes little sense. I don't think very highly of our school nurse, and strongly suspect that not checking is mostly him being lazy, rather than an official prohibition.

The problem with the instructions going around is that you only need to shampoo and comb out twice. If there are some left over nits after the first week, they will hatch the second week. It's important to nit comb 3 days in a row, one week later, and then again on week two. OTC Shampoos do not work. Combing the hair and then keeping your child'a hair up or very cut short is key to prevention.

I don't know why you think that the OTC shampoos do not work. I used them on my DD's straight blonde hair when I found live, adult lice crawling around. After the shampoo, they were not crawling and we combed them out with the metal comb. The shampoo works. It just doesn't work 100% and that's why combing is also necessary.

So because it worked in your child's bland hair doesn't mean it will work for those of us with different types of hair.

I'm sorry that they don't work on your "DIFFERENT" hair. What I was saying was that the statement "OTC Shampoos do not work" (bolded above) isn't necessarily accurate, since they did work for my child. And thanks for your dig about "BLAND" hair. Clearly you're a really nice person.

Did your child get them again a couple weeks later? If so, they didn't work.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:"About "no-nit" policies
Some schools have "no-nit" policies stating that students who still have nits in their hair cannot return to school. The AAP and the National Association of School Nurses discourage such policies and believe a child should not miss school because of head lice."

https://www.healthychildren.org/English/health-issues/conditions/from-insects-animals/Pages/Signs-of-Lice.aspx

I hate this policy. It means my two daughters with beautiful long hair are vulnerable to their classmate with lower thresholds of personal hygiene.


I've already had to comb out lice acquired from classmates, once. I don't want to do it again just because the parents of the licey children can't take care of their own business.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Op here- not angry just grossed out. Can't believe the kids don't have to go home and be checked before they can come back.

We were told that the official policy is that if a family self-reports, the child must be cleared by the school nurse before going back to school. Also that it would be helpful to bring the treatment we used to show the nurse. Lice was going around DD's class this fall. The school sent home flyers reminding parents to check their kids and saying that there had been cases of lice in DD's grade. When DD had lice, I shampooed and combed and then shampooed and combed again a week later per the instructions. Two weeks after the first case (after being clean for two weeks), she had them again, so I strongly suspect that the other parents were not checking/treating/reporting. I was told that DCPS cannot do any more than that. That even if there is a case reported in one class/grade, they couldn't proactively check the whole class. I understand not checking the whole school, but I think that not checking the class makes little sense. I don't think very highly of our school nurse, and strongly suspect that not checking is mostly him being lazy, rather than an official prohibition.

The problem with the instructions going around is that you only need to shampoo and comb out twice. If there are some left over nits after the first week, they will hatch the second week. It's important to nit comb 3 days in a row, one week later, and then again on week two. OTC Shampoos do not work. Combing the hair and then keeping your child'a hair up or very cut short is key to prevention.

I don't know why you think that the OTC shampoos do not work. I used them on my DD's straight blonde hair when I found live, adult lice crawling around. After the shampoo, they were not crawling and we combed them out with the metal comb. The shampoo works. It just doesn't work 100% and that's why combing is also necessary.

So because it worked in your child's bland hair doesn't mean it will work for those of us with different types of hair.

I'm sorry that they don't work on your "DIFFERENT" hair. What I was saying was that the statement "OTC Shampoos do not work" (bolded above) isn't necessarily accurate, since they did work for my child. And thanks for your dig about "BLAND" hair. Clearly you're a really nice person.

Did your child get them again a couple weeks later? If so, they didn't work.

This was last year, and no. She got them once. We shampooed using the OTC shampoo and combed. She had no lice all summer. Then she got them again this year. Since we used (the same) OTC shampoo and (the same) comb, she hasn't had them again. But thanks for your attitude! Like I said, clearly a nice person.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:"About "no-nit" policies
Some schools have "no-nit" policies stating that students who still have nits in their hair cannot return to school. The AAP and the National Association of School Nurses discourage such policies and believe a child should not miss school because of head lice."

https://www.healthychildren.org/English/health-issues/conditions/from-insects-animals/Pages/Signs-of-Lice.aspx

I hate this policy. It means my two daughters with beautiful long hair are vulnerable to their classmate with lower thresholds of personal hygiene.


I've already had to comb out lice acquired from classmates, once. I don't want to do it again just because the parents of the licey children can't take care of their own business.

Re-frame:

I am the PP and completely in favor of "no-nit" policies. It's the casual acceptance of lice in the schools that is so disturbing.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Op here- not angry just grossed out. Can't believe the kids don't have to go home and be checked before they can come back.

We were told that the official policy is that if a family self-reports, the child must be cleared by the school nurse before going back to school. Also that it would be helpful to bring the treatment we used to show the nurse. Lice was going around DD's class this fall. The school sent home flyers reminding parents to check their kids and saying that there had been cases of lice in DD's grade. When DD had lice, I shampooed and combed and then shampooed and combed again a week later per the instructions. Two weeks after the first case (after being clean for two weeks), she had them again, so I strongly suspect that the other parents were not checking/treating/reporting. I was told that DCPS cannot do any more than that. That even if there is a case reported in one class/grade, they couldn't proactively check the whole class. I understand not checking the whole school, but I think that not checking the class makes little sense. I don't think very highly of our school nurse, and strongly suspect that not checking is mostly him being lazy, rather than an official prohibition.

The problem with the instructions going around is that you only need to shampoo and comb out twice. If there are some left over nits after the first week, they will hatch the second week. It's important to nit comb 3 days in a row, one week later, and then again on week two. OTC Shampoos do not work. Combing the hair and then keeping your child'a hair up or very cut short is key to prevention.

Also, you can use preventive sprays like Fairy Tales. We've been using it and it SEEMS to work so far. Big caveat that I'm sure it isn't 100% effective, but I think it may help.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Op here- not angry just grossed out. Can't believe the kids don't have to go home and be checked before they can come back.

We were told that the official policy is that if a family self-reports, the child must be cleared by the school nurse before going back to school. Also that it would be helpful to bring the treatment we used to show the nurse. Lice was going around DD's class this fall. The school sent home flyers reminding parents to check their kids and saying that there had been cases of lice in DD's grade. When DD had lice, I shampooed and combed and then shampooed and combed again a week later per the instructions. Two weeks after the first case (after being clean for two weeks), she had them again, so I strongly suspect that the other parents were not checking/treating/reporting. I was told that DCPS cannot do any more than that. That even if there is a case reported in one class/grade, they couldn't proactively check the whole class. I understand not checking the whole school, but I think that not checking the class makes little sense. I don't think very highly of our school nurse, and strongly suspect that not checking is mostly him being lazy, rather than an official prohibition.

The problem with the instructions going around is that you only need to shampoo and comb out twice. If there are some left over nits after the first week, they will hatch the second week. It's important to nit comb 3 days in a row, one week later, and then again on week two. OTC Shampoos do not work. Combing the hair and then keeping your child'a hair up or very cut short is key to prevention.

Also, you can use preventive sprays like Fairy Tales. We've been using it and it SEEMS to work so far. Big caveat that I'm sure it isn't 100% effective, but I think it may help.

We use Fairy Tales. I'm not convinced it makes a difference. What really does the trick is lots of conditioner and then combing it through with a lice comb. This can't be done only once, it has to be done at least twice and preferably three times.

What it is disturbing, is the families who don't seem to understand that their irresponsibility is what spreads lice to responsible families. I'd prefer we go back to the good old days where you keep your bug-ridden child at home so she doesn't infect mine.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:"About "no-nit" policies
Some schools have "no-nit" policies stating that students who still have nits in their hair cannot return to school. The AAP and the National Association of School Nurses discourage such policies and believe a child should not miss school because of head lice."

https://www.healthychildren.org/English/health-issues/conditions/from-insects-animals/Pages/Signs-of-Lice.aspx

The D.C. Regulations prohibit a no-nit policy. Schools should not be doing this. This is DCMR 209.4(j):

(j) A student diagnosed with Pediculosis (infestation by live head lice) may remain in class that day; however parents or guardians should commence treatment at the conclusion of the school day. The child may return to school upon submitting to the school nurse a parent’s or guardian’s note attesting to the fact that the student is undergoing treatment. A student with only Nits (eggs) shall not be excluded from school; however the school nurse, principal or designee shall send a note to the parents or guardians advising them to monitor the child for re-infestation.

[Anonymous]

If there are nits, then aren't there live bugs too? This dies t make sense to me.

[Anonymous]

What is the best OTC product available?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Op here- not angry just grossed out. Can't believe the kids don't have to go home and be checked before they can come back.

We were told that the official policy is that if a family self-reports, the child must be cleared by the school nurse before going back to school. Also that it would be helpful to bring the treatment we used to show the nurse. Lice was going around DD's class this fall. The school sent home flyers reminding parents to check their kids and saying that there had been cases of lice in DD's grade. When DD had lice, I shampooed and combed and then shampooed and combed again a week later per the instructions. Two weeks after the first case (after being clean for two weeks), she had them again, so I strongly suspect that the other parents were not checking/treating/reporting. I was told that DCPS cannot do any more than that. That even if there is a case reported in one class/grade, they couldn't proactively check the whole class. I understand not checking the whole school, but I think that not checking the class makes little sense. I don't think very highly of our school nurse, and strongly suspect that not checking is mostly him being lazy, rather than an official prohibition.

The problem with the instructions going around is that you only need to shampoo and comb out twice. If there are some left over nits after the first week, they will hatch the second week. It's important to nit comb 3 days in a row, one week later, and then again on week two. OTC Shampoos do not work. Combing the hair and then keeping your child'a hair up or very cut short is key to prevention.

I don't know why you think that the OTC shampoos do not work. I used them on my DD's straight blonde hair when I found live, adult lice crawling around. After the shampoo, they were not crawling and we combed them out with the metal comb. The shampoo works. It just doesn't work 100% and that's why combing is also necessary.

So because it worked in your child's bland hair doesn't mean it will work for those of us with different types of hair.

I'm sorry that they don't work on your "DIFFERENT" hair. What I was saying was that the statement "OTC Shampoos do not work" (bolded above) isn't necessarily accurate, since they did work for my child. And thanks for your dig about "BLAND" hair. Clearly you're a really nice person.

Did your child get them again a couple weeks later? If so, they didn't work.

This was last year, and no. She got them once. We shampooed using the OTC shampoo and combed. She had no lice all summer. Then she got them again this year. Since we used (the same) OTC shampoo and (the same) comb, she hasn't had them again. But thanks for your attitude! Like I said, clearly a nice person.

You realize that's a different poster right?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If there are nits, then aren't there live bugs too? This dies t make sense to me.

If the treatment stuff works (and the lice aren't resistant), the actual bugs will be killed but the nits will remain. Nits are not communicable. You can comb them out and retreat in a week to kill the ones that hatch.

[Anonymous]

Thanks everyone, this thread is so helpful! There is major lice infestation in DC's class at school. We did the treatment/comb-through 10 days ago. Then 3 days ago I found a bug so did the treatment/comb-through again. This morning I saw some nits and picked them out. I will comb through again with the lice comb this evening. Ugh!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:"About "no-nit" policies
Some schools have "no-nit" policies stating that students who still have nits in their hair cannot return to school. The AAP and the National Association of School Nurses discourage such policies and believe a child should not miss school because of head lice."

https://www.healthychildren.org/English/health-issues/conditions/from-insects-animals/Pages/Signs-of-Lice.aspx

The D.C. Regulations prohibit a no-nit policy. Schools should not be doing this. This is DCMR 209.4(j):

(j) A student diagnosed with Pediculosis (infestation by live head lice) may remain in class that day; however parents or guardians should commence treatment at the conclusion of the school day. The child may return to school upon submitting to the school nurse a parent’s or guardian’s note attesting to the fact that the student is undergoing treatment. A student with only Nits (eggs) shall not be excluded from school; however the school nurse, principal or designee shall send a note to the parents or guardians advising them to monitor the child for re-infestation.

DC Regulations technically prohibit graft and corruption, but that hasn't gotten in Mayor Bowwow's way, has it?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Thanks everyone, this thread is so helpful! There is major lice infestation in DC's class at school. We did the treatment/comb-through 10 days ago. Then 3 days ago I found a bug so did the treatment/comb-through again. This morning I saw some nits and picked them out. I will comb through again with the lice comb this evening. Ugh!

The delousing professionals say comb every day for two weeks (after they do their house of combing). They don't bother with the shampoos. And buy the good comb...

[Anonymous]

Hours not house of combing