New guidelines released from the American Academy of Pediatrics say children with head lice should still be allowed to go to school.
The AAP states that head lice screening programs in schools have not been proven to have a significant effect are not cost-effective, and may stigmatize children suspected of having head lice.
Medical providers should educate school communities that policies that require students to be rid of lice or lice eggs before returning to school be abandoned because these policies would have negative consequences for a student's academic progress, may violate their civil rights, and stigmatize head lice as a public health hazard.
"Even though lice is a huge inconvenience for a lot of people, it doesn't pose a health risk the same way COVID or influenza would," said Dr. Oquendo.