The “no nit�?policy enforced at many schools, which emphasizes prevention by keeping kids at home, has been criticized for “overzealous�?enforcement and for contributing to the stigmatization.

A clean head is no guarantee against lice.

Doesn’t matter how good you smell—being well showered and shampoo'd will not prevent lice from making a home on your head. Even if you manage to wash out or manually remove adult lice, the nits cling tenaciously to hairs. Then they hatch in a few days and start a new population. Again, every noggin with hair on top is a potential lice colony.

It's getting harder to kill lice.

According to headlice.org, home page of the National Pediculosis Association (pediculosis being the human infestation of lice), lice are becoming increasingly resistant to the chemicals found in popular anti-lice products such as Lyclear and Full Marks. NPA is also critical of the Food and Drug Administration for approving lindane, an insecticide found in anti-lice shampoos and creams that’s potentially toxic to humans.

Head lice are also tough to kill because they are fast-moving. How fast? Try your luck de-lousing at the Hair Force One game.

To get rid of lice, be a nitpicker.

The safest, most tried-and-true method for de-lousing is to use a louse comb, available at most pharmacies. “The key is to get rid of the eggs,�?says Laura Harrington. “A louse comb has very fine teeth and physically removes the nits. Comb carefully through the hair, section by section. Sometimes it’s easier to use an oily substance on the hair and comb through that. Then you want to wipe the comb periodically with a tissue and rinse it in soapy water to make sure you clean off the nits.�?/FONT>