Head lice: What parents should know

Spotting a tiny, white speck in your child's hair is enough to make many parents panic. Yes, head lice score high on the yuck factor, but usually they aren't harmful. Here, you'll find all the information you need to get a lice infestation under control.

What are head lice?

Head lice are tiny six-legged insects that cling to the hair near to the scalp and neck and feed on human blood. Each louse is about the size of a sesame seed - 3mm long fully grown - and can be hard to spot. Empty lice eggs, called nits, are glued onto hairs and can be easier to see. When a large number of lice live in a person's hair, it is called an infestation.

Who gets head lice?

Head lice are most common in young children attending nursery, pre-school or primary school. Children of this age often play together closely and their heads are likely to often come into contact with each other. Adults who live with children also have a higher risk of exposure to head lice.

How head lice spread

Lice usually spread through direct head-to-head contact that allows the pests to crawl from one person's hair into another's. Lice can also survive for a short period on clothing or other personal items, so a shared hairbrush can help a louse find a new host. Lice cannot jump or fly from one person to another.

How to spot head lice

Although lice and nits are small, they are visible to the naked eye. Head lice can be white, brown or dark grey. They are most often found in the hair at the back of the neck or behind the ears. The nits are round or oval specks that are tightly glued to hairs. If you try to slide the nits off, they won’t budge. Research suggests combing through wet hair with a fine-toothed ‘headlice’ comb is the best way to spot an active infestation.

Symptoms of head lice

Spotting a louse or nit is often the only sign of an infestation. In many children, head lice don't cause any discomfort. When symptoms do occur, the most common problem is itching that may start weeks or even months after the lice move in.

Head lice allergies

The itching associated with lice is caused by an allergic reaction to the bug bites. Frequent scratching may lead to sores or raw skin on the scalp. Seek medical advice if: the skin becomes red, swollen or painful; the lymph nodes in the neck become tender; or if there is a fever of 38C (100F) or higher. These are signs of a skin infection.

If you suspect head lice

Head lice will not go away on their own. If you suspect your child has an infestation, there are several steps you should take right away. If it's your first encounter with lice, see your doctor or nurse to confirm the diagnosis. Attach suspect lice to sticky tape and take it with you. Notify your child's day care provider or school so other children can be checked. Examine all other members of the household for signs of lice. Finally, treat everyone who's infected with live lice at the same time.

Ridding hair of lice

You can find lice-killing medicated shampoo over the counter. It is considered safe when the directions are followed carefully. The most common form of this shampoo is applied to dry hair. Follow instructions on the label carefully regarding how long the medication should be left on the hair and how it should be washed off. A second treatment is recommended after the eggs have hatched but before new ones are produced. If two treatments don’t do the job, see your doctor for more potent medication. Natural, chemical free treatments are also available.

Wet-combing with a fine-toothed comb

An alternative to topical head lice treatments is wet-combing with a fine-toothed comb on hair that has been liberally soaked with conditioner, to help to loosen the grip of lice to the hair. This comb has teeth fine enough to pull out lice and nits. It worked for the ancient Egyptians – fine-toothed combs have been found in their tombs. The drawback is that it takes time and patience to comb every last louse and nit out of a child’s hair. However, if you can do it properly, you may be able to avoid using medicated lotions or sprays.

Ridding your home of lice

The NHS says there’s no need to wash bedding or clothing that has been in contact with headlice because the lice can’t survive for long away from the scalp. Those lice that fall off the scalp are likely to be close to dying anyway. While parents are sometimes told to clean and quarantine all of a child's stuffed animals, experts say this is not necessary.

Home remedies for head lice

Some parents claim mayonnaise, white vinegar or tea tree oil are effective natural remedies for head lice. Mayonnaise is said to smother lice if it's applied thickly and kept on overnight under a shower cap. Vinegar is rumoured to dissolve the glue that keeps lice and nits stuck to the hair. While there is no scientific evidence to support these home remedies, paediatricians say there's no harm in trying them.

Head lice myths

Head lice are not a scourge of the lower classes, nor a sign of poor hygiene. They affect children across all levels of income, social class and cleanliness. The bugs can survive underwater for up to six hours, so children who bathe regularly are just as vulnerable. The good news is lice are not carriers of any disease.

Head lice at school

If lice are discovered on your child at school, he or she may be sent home for prompt treatment. After treatment, empty eggs (nits) may remain in a child's hair until they are removed. Children with head lice should continue to go to school.

Guarding against head lice

If you have young children, there's unfortunately very little you can do to ward off head lice. Kids will be kids – and when they put their heads together lice get a ticket to ride. Your best defence is to examine your child's hair and scalp regularly so you can catch an infestation early. Regular washing and combing, especially with a fine-toothed comb, also helps. Prompt treatment may prevent the bugs from spreading to the rest of the family.

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