Head Lice
Head lice are tiny insects that live on the scalp and hair. They're very common, especially in school-age children, and spread through direct head-to-head contact
About head lice
Head lice feed on blood from the scalp and lay eggs (nits) that stick firmly to hair close to the scalp. They can't jump or fly, so they spread through close head contact rather than shared hats or brushes alone. Anyone can catch head lice regardless of hair length or hygiene
Treatments
Symptoms
• Itchy scalp, particularly behind the ears and at the back of the neck
• Feeling something moving in the hair
• Visible lice or eggs on close inspection
• Small red bumps from scratching
• Some people have no symptoms at all
Diagnosis
Head lice are confirmed by detection combing with a fine-toothed comb on wet, conditioned hair, which is more reliable than visual inspection alone. Treatment is only needed if live lice are actually found
Treatment
Treatment options include specific lotions or sprays that kill lice, applied according to instructions and usually repeated after a week to catch newly hatched lice, or wet combing with a detection comb every few days over two weeks to physically remove lice and eggs
Prevention and self-care
• Check the whole family's hair regularly if lice are found in the household
• Treat everyone with confirmed live lice, not as a precaution
• Avoid head-to-head contact where possible
• Tie back long hair
• Wash bedding and recently worn hats or scarves on a hot wash if needed
• Reapply or repeat wet combing as directed, since one treatment alone may not remove all eggs
Reviewed by Hamza Iqbal Naheed, Superintendent Pharmacist, GPhC 2209194 (check the register) · Last updated 21 September 2026