I’m a primary care doctor and a parent. Here’s how I handle lice.

Head lice (Pediculus humanus capitis) are parasites that primarily infest children in child care, preschool or elementary school. Having lice doesn’t indicate poor hygiene, despite a long-standing misconception driven by stigma, and lice don’t spread other diseases. But children with lice are often shamed and unnecessarily excluded from attending school.