Head lice - get the facts

Anyone can get head lice, not just children and not just at school

The facts

Head lice are not just a school problem – they affect everyone in the community.
Head lice do not care how old you are. They will live on adults as well as children.
Head lice do not jump or fly. They walk from one head to the other during close contact.
Head lice do not care how rich or poor you are.
Head lice do not care about the condition or the length of your hair.

Detection

You should do a head check every week. Do this at hair wash time – the lice are easier to see in wet hair.

If you find live lice, then you should start treatment.

Treatment

Wet combing method

This treatment should work because it removes lice before they become adults and can lay more eggs. This treatment should be repeated every three days for two weeks, to give time for all eggs to hatch.

Wash the hair as you would normally, rinse and generously apply conditioner. Comb with an ordinary comb until all the tangles are gone, and then, using a head lice comb (available from your chemist); comb the hair into sections. Starting at the scalp comb through to the ends of the hair. After each stroke, check the comb for lice and rinse out or wipe off the comb into a white towel. You may need a cocktail stick to poke lice out of the teeth of the comb.

After combing, rinse out the conditioner.

Lotions

Lotions should be used if there are live lice present. If you choose to use a lotion, follow the manufacturer’s instructions. The lotions available include:

Pyrethroids
Malathion
Carbaryl (on prescription only).

Do not use lotions to prevent head lice.

Use lotions only designed for humans.

No matter whether you choose wet combing or lotions – you must follow the instructions carefully.

Remember

If you find one member of the household has head lice – check everyone, including the adults.

It is important that close contacts are informed – they may have them and not know – relatives – including grandparents, babysitters/childminders, best friends, work colleagues, holiday friends, etc.