Headlice

Information on Headlic For Parents & Carers

How headlice are spread

Headlice are only spread by head to head contact. They wriggle and climb between the hairs using a claw at the end of each leg. Headlice do not jump, fly or swim and they don’t spread on clothes, furniture or combs.

How to check the hair for headlice

Everyone in the family should have their hair checked at the same time.

• Wash the hair, use conditioner if it is difficult to comb
• Divide the hair into layers while it is still wet
• Comb each layer using a headlice comb (you can get these from a pharmacy)
• Comb from the roots, look closely around the neck and the ears
• If headlice are there, they will fall out or get caught in the comb
• Anyone who has headlice should be treated as soon as possible
• Family members without headlice do not require treatment

Headlice spread quickly between children, so children’s hair should be checked once a week

How to treat headlice

Until the 31 July 2000, the recommended treatments are:

• Permethrin (Lyclear) or
• Phenothrin (Full Marks)

These can be bought from a pharmacy or you can get them on prescription. Follow the instructions carefully, make sure you use enough lotion or cream to cover the whole head. Check everyone in the family again after one week and treat again if headlice are found.

If your child has lice several times within the school term, contact should be made with the school nurse who will advise you. Encourage your child to comb the hair at least twice a day. Check your family’s hair every week using a fine-toothed comb on wet hair.

1. Keep lotion away from the eyes, cover with a towel or some other protection
2. Gently and thoroughly rub the lotion into the hair, making sure the whole head is treated
3. Leave the lotion on for the recommended time. Rinse, then wash with an ordinary shampoo
4. Any eggs that you can see after treatment should be dead and can be removed using a special headlice comb

How to prevent headlice spreading

• Everyone who has contact with the person who has headlice should be informed, so that everyone can check their hair and arrange treatment if needed
• Tell teachers or playgroup leaders so that the class can be informed
• Children should not go to school, playgroup or nursery until they are treated
• Headlice can come back if contacts are not checked and treated quickly
• Only use headlice products if there are headlice in the hair

Myths on headlice

• Nits and headlice are the same thing
• Headlice just appear
• Only people with dirty hair get headlice
• Having the hair cut short will prevent the spread of headlice
•  Only children catch headlice
•  Pets pass on headlice
• Washing with ordinary shampoo will prevent headlice
• Regular washing with an insecticide shampoo will prevent headlice

Facts

• Headlice are tiny insects which are difficult to see. Eggs are laid by lice, on the hair close to the scalp. Nits are the shiny, white covers left after the eggs are hatched
• Headlice are caught from close head to head contact with someone who already has headlice
• Headlice can move and breed more easily on clean, shiny hair
• Headlice will only move to where they can detect the warmth they need to survive. Whether hair is long or short, they will spread if heads are touching or are very close.
• Anyone can get headlice, whatever their age, hair colour or hair style
• Pets do not get human headlice
• Regular washing of hair will not prevent headlice, but combing with a detector comb on wet hair once weekly may help
• Insecticide shampoo does not prevent headlice and is not recommended for regular use 

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