Are no-nit policies or mass screenings recommended for schools?
No. Guidelines: There is consensus that no-nit policies are inappropriate in a school setting, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics, National Association of School Nurses, the CDC, and the NH Department of Health and Human Services. School–wide screenings and “no-nit” policies are strongly discouraged. Mass screening for live lice has not been proven to have a significant effect on the incidence of head lice in a school community over time. Manual removal of nits after treatment with a pediculcide is not necessary to prevent spread. (American Academy of Pediatrics Policy Statement on Pediculosis 2002, updated in 2009). Education of parents in identifying and managing head lice is the most helpful. We urge school districts to ensure that children do not miss class unnecessarily or encounter embarrassment and isolation, especially if they suffer from repeated head lice infestations. Parents should be encouraged to check their children’s heads for lice if the child is symptomat
