If there are lice, how many days should one not go to school? - briefly
A student with head lice should remain absent until the infestation and all nits are eliminated, which is generally accomplished after one to two days of appropriate treatment.
If there are lice, how many days should one not go to school? - in detail
When a student is confirmed to have head lice, the typical recommendation is to stay home only until effective treatment has been applied and any live insects have been removed. Most health authorities advise that the child may return to class on the same day the treatment begins, provided the following conditions are met:
- A pediculicide shampoo or lotion approved for use on children has been applied according to the product instructions.
- All visible nits (eggs) attached to hair shafts have been combed out with a fine‑toothed nit comb.
- The child’s hair has been washed and dried after treatment, and no live lice are observed during a thorough inspection.
If the initial treatment fails to eliminate all insects, a second application is usually required after 7–10 days, corresponding to the life cycle of the parasite. During this interval, the child may attend school if the first treatment was performed correctly and a visual check shows no moving lice. Schools often permit attendance after the first dose because the risk of transmission drops sharply once the adult insects are killed.
In practice, many districts adopt a “no‑absence” policy once treatment is documented, requiring parents to submit a note confirming that the prescribed regimen has been followed. Exceptions occur when:
- The child exhibits persistent itching that interferes with learning.
- A medical professional advises a longer exclusion period due to complications or resistant lice strains.
Therefore, the standard practice limits school absence to a single day for the initial treatment, with a possible additional day if a follow‑up dose is needed, but does not typically extend beyond a week unless specific circumstances dictate.