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Head lice are small insects that live on the scalp and lay eggs (nits) on the hair. Lice and nits cause an itchy scalp. Head lice are common in children and their families. Medicated treatments to kill lice and nits are available. Head lice treatments may not be suitable for pregnant or breastfeeding women, babies less than 12 months old or people who have allergies, open wounds on the scalp or asthma.
Head lice are small, wingless insects that live, breed and feed on the human scalp. They do not carry or transmit disease. They have been around for thousands of years and, given the chance, will move from head to head without discrimination.
Head lice facts
A female louse will lay between three to eight eggs (nits) per day in the hair, within 1.5cm of the scalp. These eggs resemble dandruff, but cannot be brushed off. Head lice do not have wings or jumping legs so they cannot fly or jump from head to head. They can only crawl.
People get head lice from direct head-to-head contact with another person who has head lice. This can happen when people play, cuddle or work closely together. Head lice are most common among children and their families. If your family has head lice, tell anyone who has had head-to-head contact with them, so that they can check and treat their family if needed. There is no need to treat the whole family, unless they also have head lice.
Concentrate on treating the affected person’s head. There is no evidence to suggest that you need to clean the house or the classroom. The only linen that requires specific washing is the affected person’s pillowcase. This should be washed in hot water (at least 60°C) or put in a clothes dryer on the hot or warm setting for 10 minutes.
The itchiness may not disappear immediately after treatment. Persistent itch is not a reason to repeat the treatment.
Finding head lice
Half of the people who have head lice never scratch their head, so itching is not a reliable sign. Lice can be hard to spot because they move quickly. The easiest and most effective way to find head lice is to follow these steps weekly:
Step 1 Comb hair conditioner on to dry, brushed (detangled) hair. This makes it difficult for lice to grip the hair or run around.
Step 2 Wipe the conditioner from the comb onto a paper towel or tissue.
Step 3 Look on the tissue and on the comb for lice and eggs.
Step 4 Repeat the combing for every part of the head at least four or five times.
Step 5 If the person has been treated recently and only hatched eggs are found, you may not have to treat them again since the eggs could be from the old infection.
Step 6 If lice or eggs are found, the person should be treated.
Treating head lice
The two preferred treatment options available for treating head lice are the ‘conditioner and comb’ method and the use of an insecticide.
Using insecticide products
Any head lice treatment product you choose should carry an Australian Registered or Listed number.
If you use lotions, apply the product to dry hair. For shampoos, wet the hair, but use the least amount of water possible.
Head lice live in the hair and go to the scalp to feed. Therefore, head lice products must be applied to all parts of the hair.
Care should be taken when using these products:
- If you are pregnant or breastfeeding
- In children less than 12 months old
- In people who have allergies, open wounds on the scalp, or asthma.
Insecticide resistance is complex and common, so you need to check that the lice are dead. If the insecticide has worked, the lice will be dead within 20 minutes. If the lice are not dead, the treatment has not worked and the lice are resistant to the product and all products containing the same active compound. Find a product with a different active compound or speak to your pharmacist or doctor.
No treatment kills 100 per cent of the eggs, so treatment must involve two applications, seven days apart.
The conditioner and comb method
If you choose not to use an insecticide, the comb and conditioner method described under ‘Finding head lice’ can be used every second day until no live lice have been found for 10 days.
Head lice combs
Head lice combs with long rounded stainless steel teeth, positioned very close together, are the most effective. However, any head lice comb can be used.
Preventing head lice
There is no product available that prevents head lice. However, tying long hair back and checking weekly for lice, using the conditioner and comb method, can help prevent the spread.
Things to remember
- Head lice have been around for thousands of years and anyone can get them.
- Using the conditioner and comb method once each week will help your family control head lice.
- Head lice do not carry disease.
Where to get help
- Your doctor
- Your pharmacist
- Your local government health department
- Public Health, Department of Health Victoria Tel. (03) 9096 0000
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Fact sheet currently being reviewed.
Last reviewed: August 2011
Content on this website is provided for education and information purposes only. Information about a therapy, service, product or treatment does not imply endorsement and is not intended to replace advice from your doctor or other registered health professional. Content has been prepared for Victorian residents and wider Australian audiences, and was accurate at the time of publication. Readers should note that, over time, currency and completeness of the information may change. All users are urged to always seek advice from a registered health care professional for diagnosis and answers to their medical questions.
Head lice are small insects that live on the scalp and lay eggs (nits) on the hair. Lice and nits cause an itchy scalp. Head lice are common in children and their families. Medicated treatments to kill lice and nits are available. Head lice treatments may not be suitable for pregnant or breastfeeding women, babies less than 12 months old or people who have allergies, open wounds on the scalp or asthma.
Content on this website is provided for education and information purposes only. Information about a therapy, service, product or treatment does not imply endorsement and is not intended to replace advice from your qualified health professional. Content has been prepared for Victorian residence and wider Australian audiences, and was accurate at the time of publication. Readers should note that over time currency and completeness of the information may change. All users are urged to always seek advice from a qualified health care professional for diagnosis and answers to their medical questions.
For the latest updates and more information, visit www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au
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