Overcoming the Stigma of Head Lice
Openness and honesty are two of the best ways to control head lice. Parents must not be afraid to report head lice to the school or to each other.
Administrators can do a lot to set an open, trusting tone so families will feel comfortable in their reporting. The following comes as part of a parent letter from a principal in Illinois:
“I’m passing along to you some basic information about head lice with a few reminders:
- Head lice are inconvenient and even troublesome. It is not life threatening, and there is no need for panic.
- A case of head lice says absolutely nothing about the student’s hygiene, home life or anything else despite the connotations often associated with this condition. Lice are non-discriminating in their choice of hosts.
- Parents and students who have reported head lice are deserving of our understanding and compassion. They should not have to deal with teasing or whispers or unkind remarks of any kind. Please refrain from this type of behavior, and please make it clear that you expect the same from your children.”
If families are not ashamed of head lice, then they can help one another to move full steam ahead to do away with it. Families must be encouraged to talk about lice as if it’s another part of life. Hiding the problem is why it spreads. If you don’t know it’s there, you don’t know to check.
