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Podcasts Take Two
Study: Kids with lice don't have to miss school during treatment
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Apr 2, 2014
Listen • 6:52
Study: Kids with lice don't have to miss school during treatment
A number of schools around the country allow students with lice to stay at school while treating the pesky bug that preys on the scalps of children.
Over the counter products for controlling head lice are photographed in Washington, Monday, Nov. 4, 2013. Some parents are scratching their heads over less restrictive head lice policies that allow children with live bugs in their hair to return to the classroom for the rest of the day. Some school nurses are no longer sending home "lice notes" to parents of other children in the classroom. The policy shift is designed to help keep children from missing class, shield children with lice from embarrassment and protect their privacy.
Over the counter products for controlling head lice are photographed in Washington, Monday, Nov. 4, 2013. Some parents are scratching their heads over less restrictive head lice policies that allow children with live bugs in their hair to return to the classroom for the rest of the day. Some school nurses are no longer sending home "lice notes" to parents of other children in the classroom. The policy shift is designed to help keep children from missing class, shield children with lice from embarrassment and protect their privacy.
(
J. David Ake/AP
)

A number of schools around the country allow students with lice to stay at school while treating the pesky bug that preys on the scalps of children.

A number of schools around the country allow students with lice to stay at school while treating the pesky bug that preys on the scalps of children.

That might seem antithetical to what we've been told in the past, but a 2010 study from the American Academy of Pediatrics says it's actually OK for kids to stay in school if they have lice.

Dr. Barbara Frankowski is the author of a study examining children, lice and schools and joins us to discuss.