Head lice are here!

Head lice are small parasites of humans. They measure 2-3 mm. They live in hair and feed on blood from the scalp, which causes severe itching.

Anyone can have head lice. However, head lice tend to prefer children's heads. To get rid of head lice, you must treat the child and those around them.

Spotting head lice

Frequently itching your head is the first telltale sign that there are lice in your hair.  

It is not easy to spot head lice and their eggs (nits) in hair. You must carefully inspect the person's head and comb their hair one strand at a time.

Lice are greyish in colour and measure 2-3 mm. Nits are easier to spot: they are whiter in colour and attach to the hair. Unlike dandruff, they are difficult to remove from hair.

Getting rid of head lice

If you find head lice or nits:

Treat the person and those around them;

• get a head lice treatment product from your pharmacist;
• buy a fine-toothed lice comb;
• follow the instructions on the head lice treatment product and BE CERTAIN to apply the product for the specified time.
• Head lice treatments struggle to kill nits, so you must repeat the treatment approximately 1 week later to get rid of any new lice that may have hatched from eggs (nits).

Checking if the head lice treatment has been effective

You can check how effective the treatment has been 24 hours after applying the product. If you find there are still live lice, either:

• the instructions were not followed properly when applying the product;
  in which case, reapply the treatment; or
• the head lice are resistant to the product used;
  in which case, consult a doctor or pharmacist.

Stopping the spread

Head lice cannot jump. They spread through direct contact but also if we share clothing/linen (hats, scarves, caps, sheets, pillowcases, etc.) or personal items (combs, brushes, hair clips, etc.).

Washing hats, scarves, cuddly toys, pillows and sheets

Wash hats, scarves, cuddly toys, pillows and sheets at 60 °C.

If you are not able to wash the items, seal them in a plastic bag or place them in the freezer for a few days.

• Regularly check your child's head, as well as other members of your family.

If you experience any difficulties, contact the health team at your child's school.