Find out what to do if you or your child has head lice & what treatments are available
If you’ve recently found out that you, your child or somebody in your family has head lice or you’re worried you may have caught them, you might be feeling unsure about how to treat them.
We’ve pulled together this guide to help you tackle head lice and understand some of the most common misconceptions
What are head lice/nits & how do you get them?
Head lice are tiny parasitic insects (up to 3mm long) that are black or brownish in colour and tend to attach to hair. Because head lice are parasites, this means they depend on nutrients from their ‘host’ to keep them alive – in this case, they bite the scalp and feed on blood.
Nits refers to the empty eggshells left behind once the lice have hatched. These tend to be brown or white.
Lice are most commonly found in young children and their families. There is no link between headlice and bad cleanliness or hygiene though – lice pass from person to person when their heads come into contact.
How to spot head lice
If you suspect your child may have lice, the first step is to inspect their head using the wet combing technique outlined below. Use this method to check the entire family too, or else you risk the lice spreading between you.
If your head is itching, it could be a sign of something like eczema, rather than head lice. You should only begin treatment for head lice once you have spotted one in their hair.
If you do spot a louse, then you can follow the steps below to help get rid of them.
How do you treat head lice?
Head lice can be treated at home without visiting a GP. The wet combing method is the first go-to method, but if this isn’t successful then consider speaking to a pharmacist for guidance. They will be able to talk you through the shampoos, solutions and sprays available for using on head lice.
Your child can still go to school or nursery if they have lice but it’s wise to let their close friends’ families know, as well as their class teacher or any carers. Letting others know may help them catch any infestation early and reduce the chances of the head lice being passed on more widely.
How to get rid of head lice with the wet comb method:
It’s easier to inspect a head for lice when hair is wet, as when it’s dry the lice can move around more easily.
It’s important not to rush this process. Set aside at least 15 minutes to check each person or 30 minutes for long or curly hair.
To detect and get rid of head lice and nits, follow these steps carefully:
•Wash the hair with your usual shampoo then rinse it out.
• Add conditioner to the hair to make it slippery and lock in moisture.
• Use your usual comb to fully detangle the hair.
• Divide the hair into sections to make it easier to inspect if necessary.
• Use a nit comb to check the hair for lice by slowly dragging it from root to tip.
• Wipe the comb clean with tissue in order to remove any lice before reinserting it.
• Do this two or three times on one segment of hair before moving on to the next segment.
• Repeat the process until you have checked the entire head.
• Wash the comb with warm soapy water and dry it.
• Follow these steps to check the entire family.
• Wet comb the hair again on days five, nine, 13 and 17 to catch newly hatched lice.
Tips to help with wet combing
• Using shampoo helps to saturate the hair fully so don’t be tempted to skip this step. Conditioner on its own may sit on top of the dry hair and allow the lice to jump around.
• Make sure the detection comb touches the scalp when you first insert it, as this is where lice attach to get their nutrients.
• Using a magnifying glass may help you spot the lice more easily.
• Consider what type of comb you choose. If you struggle to see the lice, you may prefer a brightly coloured plastic comb.
• Follow the instructions for the comb you choose carefully. You may need a different comb for detection and removal depending on how far apart the comb’s teeth are.
• Be sure to leave three days between checking to allow time to find any newly hatched lice. This interval is recommended based on the life cycle of lice.
Head lice treatment products
If the wet combing technique hasn’t worked after 17 days, then you may want to speak to a pharmacist about the treatments available for head lice. If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, or have a condition like asthma or eczema, you may need to avoid certain products.
Even when using a head lice treatment product, it is still important to check for lice on days five, nine and 12 or 13, or according to the instructions that accompany the product. Read the label carefully to follow instructions for the product you use. Head lice treatment shouldn’t be used to prevent head lice.
How do you know if the treatment has worked?
If you don’t see any lice during at least three wet combing sessions this usually means the treatment has worked.
If you’re using a head lice treatment product, then follow the instructions carefully to work out if the treatment has been effective.You may still see some nits left, but this doesn’t mean you need to treat them again if you don’t also see lice.
What should you do if treatment doesn’t work?
If you are still finding head lice, then you may want to try the treatment again, depending on the product information. Or, you may want to speak to a pharmacist about different treatment options available.
Also make sure that everyone in the household is checked for head lice, to make sure that lice aren’t spreading from others after treatment.
Can you prevent head lice?
Unfortunately, it isn’t possible to prevent head lice but if you suspect you, your child or someone in your family might have them, then early inspection can help to limit them from spreading. You may see repellents advertised, however there is little evidence to suggest that these work effectively.
