If your child comes home with lice, you might think it means a mandatory stay-at-home order. However, recent advice from medical professionals suggests otherwise. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) has determined that lice are not the contagious nightmares we’ve always assumed they were. According to them, lice spread primarily through direct head-to-head contact. So unless your little ones are engaging in some serious head-bumping—think the Coneheads—there’s really not much to fret about.
Of course, there are still some caveats. Children often share hats, which can facilitate the spread of lice. Also, hair brushes, combs, and bedding should be sanitized when lice make an appearance. But thankfully, most of these items don’t typically travel to school (at least my elementary school kids aren’t packing hairbrushes; getting them to use one at home is a challenge in itself!).
Knowing that my kids can still go to school even if they catch lice is a relief! However, here’s the downside: dealing with lice is still a hassle and the new guidelines indicate that routine lice checks in schools aren’t particularly effective. This means that the responsibility of checking for lice falls squarely on my shoulders (and my partner’s). I had hoped that once my kids mastered personal hygiene, I’d be free from these intimate, often icky tasks—but alas, I must now step up and purchase a nit-comb.
Yes, a nit-comb.
The AAP has also advised against various home remedies that parents have been trying to eliminate lice and their stubborn eggs. It seems that some have resorted to bizarre concoctions—think mayonnaise, butter, and even WD-40 and vodka. Just a tip: combining vodka treatments with sending your child back to school might trigger a very different kind of phone call from those concerned about your child’s welfare.
On the bright side, this shift in understanding may help shed the stigma surrounding lice. As more people realize that lice aren’t the harbingers of disease we thought they were, and that having lice doesn’t imply poor hygiene, it could change the narrative. Just remember, no more hat-swapping!
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Summary:
In light of recent guidelines from the AAP, children diagnosed with lice do not need to stay home from school, as lice are primarily spread through direct head contact. While sharing hats and personal items poses a risk, it’s up to parents to conduct checks at home. Emphasizing that lice do not indicate poor hygiene could help lessen the stigma associated with them.
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