Ask Our Experts
Got Questions? We've got answers from experts and parents who've been there.
When can my child return to school after having head lice?
If he's treated properly (you can use a special nontoxic shampoo to kill the bugs) your child should be able to return to school the very next day. To be certain, reexamine his hair thoroughly to ensure that all lice and their eggs (called nits) have been removed. Keep in mind that many schools adhere to a no-nit policy, which means that every single nit must be removed before a child will be readmitted. If your school enforces this policy your child may need to be examined by the school nurse before he heads back to class. Since even a truly thorough search can miss a few nits or bugs, experts suggest continuing to check your child's head for three weeks after treating. --Chelle E. Cohen
Copyright 2009
The answers from our experts are for educational purposes only. Please always refer to your child's pediatrician and mental health expert for more in-depth advice.