Dealing with head lice

Head lice are a type of insect that live on the scalp (the skin on the top of your head). They can also be found in your eyebrows and eyelashes. They are parasites. This means that they gets their food and nutrition (blood) from you to survive.^1,2

You’ll know if you or your child has head lice if you:

• Can see them crawling in your hair
• Feel them moving. You might notice a tickling sensation across your scalp.
• Notice that your scalp has become sore from scratching
• See them or eggs in your hair, especially near your scalp.²

Yes. Young children, particularly those between the ages of 4 and 11 spend a lot of time in close proximity while they play and interact with one another. This can cause head lice to be transferred from head to head.^2,3

Yes. Some people might notice a rash on the back of their neck or behind their ears. It should go away on its own once you have treated the head lice.³

Head lice can be addressed at home using a variety of treatments.¹ You can buy them at your local pharmacy or in a supermarket.

Some common approaches to head lice removal include:

• Wet combing. Use a fine-tooth comb on your child’s hair to remove lice. You will need to repeat the treatment on days 1, 5, 9 and 13. On day 17, you should check if your child’s scalp is completely free of head lice.
• Medicated treatments. You can buy medicated lotions and sprays to kill head lice. They are usually suitable for all hair types. The lice should die within 24 hours of application. However, you may need to reapply the treatment to ensure that all lice and their eggs have been killed.¹

You should avoid using essential oils, electrical combs or products that contain an ingredient called permethrin. They may not be effective in removing or killing the lice.¹

No. Anyone can get head lice. It doesn’t matter if your hair is dirty or clean.¹

Head lice are attracted to all hair types. It doesn’t matter if your hair is straight or not. They rely on the warmth, insulation and food supply that your scalp provides.

You’ll be more likely to get lice if you are:

• A child aged between 4 and 11
• A woman
• Any other ethnicity other than Black African or Black Caribbean. ³

Having head lice can trigger social and emotional problems for anyone who has them. But school-aged children in particular can feel stress, anxiety and distress when they have head lice. They might be worried about what others think of them. This is because there are lots of inaccurate myths about head lice being linked to a lack of hygiene.⁴

If you’ve noticed changes in your child’s behaviour, it’s important to reassure them that their experience is normal and isn’t an indicator of poor hygiene.

You can help by:

• Knowing the facts. Having head lice is a common experience.
• Listening to their concerns. If your child feels less confident or is being teased for having head lice, addressing their problems can help them feel better.