How to treat head lice

Super common (and super annoying!), head lice are unwanted visitors that you’ll want to get rid of sooner rather than later. Whether you’ve spotted their eggs or have been warned at the school gates that they’re doing the rounds, here’s how you can evict these pesky critters.  

How to spot head lice

Head lice are teeny, tiny crawling insects that love to make themselves at home in our hair. Because they’re so small (up to 3mm) and light brown in colour, they can be hard to spot. Their eggs (aka nits) feed on blood from the scalp, which causes irritation and often feeling itchy is one of the first signs of a head lice infestation. 

The best way to check for head lice is using a fine-toothed detection comb through wet hair, under a bright light. Separate small sections of hair and work the comb from root to tip, scanning for any moving live lice or eggs. Nits may look like flakes of dandruff at first glance, as they can appear clear or milky white. The difference between nits and flakes, is that the former clings to hair follicles and are difficult to remove.   

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Twin Pack Nit Comb

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How to treat head lice

Step 1: Get your hands on a medicated head lice treatment, either over the counter or online.  

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New Hedrin Head Lice 15 Minute Treatment 60ml Spray

£5.49

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Full Marks Solution & Comb 200ML

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Step 2: Get your hands on a medicated head lice treatment, either over the counter or online. 

Step 3: After using the treatment, use a lice comb over wet hair to get rid of any dead/remaining head lice. You can continue this ‘wet combing’ method following treatment, to ensure all the head lice are gone. If after a 5 -10 days you can still see head lice, you may want to treat the hair again but always check the packet instructions or speak to a pharmacist for further advice.    

Head lice myths busted

Head lice have earned a bad reputation, but did you know…? 
 

• There’s no way to prevent head lice.  
• They don’t ‘jump’ from person to person. They’re spread through direct head-to-head contact or via items like hats, towels, and hairbrushes.   
• While children aged 3-11 are more commonly treated for head lice, adults can catch head lice too.  

• According to NHS England (and most schools) there’s no need for children to stay off school when they have head lice. But you might want to give your child’s school the head’s up.  
• You can stop them spreading by using a lice comb regularly, as this can catch head lice early.  
• Head lice is not an indicator of poor hygiene or ‘dirty’ hair. Head lice will set up shop in any hair condition.