Head Lice

Head lice
are small, wingless insects that live, breed and feed

on the human scalp. They do not carry or transmit
disease. They have been around for thousands of
years and, given the chance, will move from head
to head without discrimination.
Head lice facts
A female louse will lay between three to eight eggs

(nits) per day in the hair, within 1.5cm of the scalp.
These eggs resemble dandruff, but cannot be
brushed off. Head lice do not have wings or
jumping legs so they cannot fly or jump from head
to head. They can only crawl.
People get head lice from direct head-to-head

contact with another person who has head lice. This
can happen when people play, cuddle or work
closely together. Head lice are most common
among children and their families. If your family
has head lice, tell anyone who has had head-to-
head contact with them, so that they can check and
treat their family if needed. There is no need to
treat the whole family, unless they also have head
lice.
Concentrate on treating the affected person’s head.

There is no evidence to suggest that you need to
clean the house or the classroom. The only linen
that requires specific washing is the affected
person’s pillowcase. This should be washed in hot
water (at least 60°C) or put in a clothes dryer on
the hot or warm setting for 10 minutes.
The itchiness may not disappear immediately after

treatment. Persistent itch is not a reason to repeat
the treatment.
Finding head lice
Half of the people who have head lice never scratch

their head, so itching is not a reliable sign. Lice can
be hard to spot because they move quickly. The
easiest and most effective way to find head lice is
to follow these steps weekly:
Step 1 Comb hair conditioner on to dry, brushed

(detangled) hair. This makes it difficult for lice to
grip the hair or run around.
Step 2 Wipe the conditioner from the comb onto a
paper towel or tissue.
Step 3 Look on the tissue and on the comb for lice
and eggs.
Step 4 Repeat the combing for every part of the
head at least four or five times.
Step 5 If the person has been treated recently and
only hatched eggs are found, you may not have to
treat them again since the eggs could be from the
old infection.
Step 6 If lice or eggs are found, the person should
be treated.
Treating head lice
The two preferred treatment options available for

treating head lice are the ‘conditioner and comb’
method and the use of an insecticide.
Using insecticide products
Any head lice treatment product you choose should

carry an Australian Registered or Listed number.
If you use lotions, apply the product to dry hair.

For shampoos, wet the hair, but use the least
amount of water possible.
Head lice live in the hair and go to the scalp to

feed. Therefore, head lice products must be applied
to all parts of the hair.
Care should be taken when using these products:

 If you are pregnant or breastfeeding
 In children less than 12 months old
 In people who have allergies, open wounds on
the scalp, or asthma.
All products can cause reactions. If you are unsure,
check with your pharmacist or doctor.
Insecticide resistance is complex and common, so

you need to check that the lice are dead. If the
insecticide has worked, the lice will be dead within
20 minutes. If the lice are not dead, the treatment
has not worked and the lice are resistant to the
product and all products containing the same active
compound. Find a product with a different active
compound or speak to your pharmacist or doctor.
No treatment kills 100 per cent of the eggs, so

treatment must involve two applications, seven
days apart.
The conditioner and comb method
If you choose not to use an insecticide, the comb

and conditioner method described under ‘Finding
head lice’ can be used every second day until no
live lice have been found for 10 days.
Head lice combs
Head lice combs with long rounded stainless steel

teeth, positioned very close together, are the most
effective. However, any head lice comb can be
used.
Preventing head lice
There is no product available that prevents head

lice. However, tying long hair back and checking
weekly for lice, using the conditioner and comb
method, can help prevent the spread.
Things to remember
 Head lice have been around for thousands of
years and anyone can get them.
 Using the conditioner and comb method once
each week will help your family control head
lice.
 Head lice do not carry disease.

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Head lice

are small, wingless insects that live, breed and feed

A female louse will lay between three to eight eggs

People get head lice from direct head-to-head

Concentrate on treating the affected person’s head.

The itchiness may not disappear immediately after

Half of the people who have head lice never scratch

Step 1 Comb hair conditioner on to dry, brushed

The two preferred treatment options available for

Any head lice treatment product you choose should

If you use lotions, apply the product to dry hair.

Head lice live in the hair and go to the scalp to

Care should be taken when using these products:

Insecticide resistance is complex and common, so

No treatment kills 100 per cent of the eggs, so

If you choose not to use an insecticide, the comb

Head lice combs with long rounded stainless steel

There is no product available that prevents head

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