After treating lice, when can a child return to school? - briefly
A child may resume school the day after completing an effective lice treatment, provided all live lice and nits have been removed. Schools typically require confirmation that the infestation is cleared before permitting re‑entry.
After treating lice, when can a child return to school? - in detail
After a lice infestation has been addressed, most schools permit the child to resume classes the following day provided that no live insects are observed. The decision hinges on the effectiveness of the chosen treatment and the presence of residual nits.
The most common therapeutic options include:
- Permethrin‑based shampoos applied according to package directions, usually left on the scalp for ten minutes before rinsing.
- Pyrethrin products, effective for a single application but requiring careful adherence to timing.
- Prescription ivermectin or malathion, administered orally or topically for resistant cases.
- Manual removal using a fine‑toothed comb after wetting the hair, repeated every three to four days for two weeks.
Regardless of the method, a thorough comb‑through should be performed 24–48 hours after the initial application to eliminate any remaining nits. If live lice are still visible, a second treatment cycle is required before the child can attend school.
School policies typically require one of the following verification steps:
- A visual inspection by a nurse or designated staff member confirming the absence of live lice.
- A written note from a healthcare provider stating that treatment was completed and no active infestation remains.
If the child meets either criterion, attendance may resume immediately. Some districts impose a mandatory “no‑nit” clearance, meaning that all eggs must be removed before re‑entry; in such cases, the child may need to stay home for an additional 24 hours while the comb‑through is repeated.
Should a new infestation be detected after the child returns, the same treatment protocol must be repeated, and parents should inform the school to trigger a broader screening of classmates.
Key points for parents:
- Treat the child promptly and follow the full dosing schedule.
- Perform a meticulous comb‑through within two days of the first application.
- Provide documentation or allow a school‑staff inspection to confirm clearance.
- Maintain regular hair checks for at least two weeks to catch any missed nits.