Head lice - How to spot and treat head lice and nits
Head lice and nits are very common in young children and their families. They are not caused by dirty hair and are picked up by head-to-head contact.
Click on the document below for an easy to use guide for parents.
Symptoms and diagnosis
- Head lice cause itchiness.
- The only way to confirm head lice is by finding live lice using a fine-toothed detection comb, available online or at pharmacies.
Treatment guidelines
- Start treatment immediately after spotting lice.
- Check all close contacts and treat anyone with lice on the same day.
- Children with lice do not need to miss school, and there's no need for hot washing laundry.
Treatment methods
Wet combing
- Requires a detection comb, shampoo, and conditioner.
- Comb hair from roots to ends, repeating the process.
- Schedule: Comb on days 1, 5, 9, and 13 - recheck for lice on day 17.
- Works for all hair types and removes lice and nits.
Medicated lotions and sprays
- Suitable if wet combing fails.
- Kills lice within a day; some products come with combs for dead lice and eggs.
- May require a second application after a week.
- Consult a pharmacist if these treatments do not work.
Ineffective treatments not recommended
- Permethrin-based products.
- Lice repellents, electric combs, plant oils (e.g. tea tree, eucalyptus), and herbal remedies.
Prevention and spread
Lice cannot be prevented.
- Regular wet combing can help catch lice early.
- Avoid using medicated products for prevention, as they may irritate the scalp.
For more information, see the NHS website here.