Williamson County Schools is considering a policy change on head lice

WILLIAMSON COUNTY, Tenn. (WTVF) – Head lice – a common problem among school-aged children – is something all parents fear.

Registered nurse Deanna Dickerson, owner of The Lice Place, meets many families seeking relief from persistent pest problems.

“These insects only need to mate once and lay three to 10 eggs per day,” says Dickerson.

According to the Tennessee Department of Health, between 6 and 12 million head lice infestations occur annually in the United States, mostly affecting children ages 3 to 11. Dickerson notes that young girls often experience the most severe cases, often due to close contact activities.

“They take a lot of selfies. They cuddle a lot,” she said. “They are on cheerleading teams and sports teams, so generally there are a lot of hurdles.”

To prevent the spread of lice, school districts have implemented policies. The Williamson County School Board is currently reviewing its own head lice policyconsidering a change that aligns with the recommendations of the Tennessee Department of Health.

Current policy requires students with live lice to be picked up immediately and not return until proof of treatment is provided. Under the proposed policy, students would be allowed to remain at school until the end of the day and return after treatment with evidence or examination by the school nurse.

Dickerson supports this shift and suggests that schools strive to keep children in school.

“Once a child is diagnosed, the child has probably had it for a while, and anyone around them who would be exposed has probably been exposed,” she said.

The Williamson County School Board will hold a work session to discuss the policy change, with a follow-up meeting scheduled for Monday.

Learn more about how to get rid of head lice here here.

More information about the services Dickerson offers can be found at here.

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