head lice
also known as: nits, pediculosis, lice
head lice are tiny insects that live on the scalp and feed on blood. they are extremely common in primary school-aged children and spread by direct head-to-head contact. they do NOT mean your child is dirty — lice actually prefer clean hair. they are annoying but harmless.
contagious
yes — spread by direct head-to-head contact only (not by sharing hats, despite the myth)
duration
lifecycle is about 3 weeks — treatment takes 2 weeks of consistent combing
common age
4-11 years (primary school age)
symptoms
- •itchy scalp (though some children have no itch at all)
- •tickling feeling on the scalp
- •small white or brown eggs (nits) glued to hair shafts near the scalp
- •live lice seen on the scalp (greyish-brown, 2-3mm long)
- •scratch marks on the scalp or back of the neck
- •difficulty sleeping (lice are more active at night)
when to see a doctor
see your GP or call 13 HEALTH (13 43 25 84) if:
- •scratching has led to a skin infection (red, swollen, weeping)
- •you have treated twice and still finding live lice
- •your child is under 6 months old
- •you are unsure if it is head lice or something else
when to call 000
call 000 immediately if:
- •head lice are never a medical emergency
home treatment
- •use conditioner and a fine-tooth nit comb to detect and remove lice (wet combing method)
- •apply a head lice treatment from the pharmacy (e.g. KP24, Moov, Banlice, NitWits)
- •follow the product instructions exactly — most require a second treatment in 7 days
- •comb through with a nit comb every 2-3 days for 2 weeks to catch any newly hatched lice
- •wash pillowcases and hats in hot water — but do NOT fumigate the house (lice die quickly off the head)
- •check all family members and treat anyone with live lice at the same time
- •myths: tea tree oil, vinegar, and mayonnaise have NOT been proven to kill lice
prevention
- •tie long hair back in braids or buns for school
- •teach children not to share hats, brushes, or hair accessories
- •check your child's hair regularly (weekly wet combing is ideal)
- •there is no preventive shampoo that works
- •notify the school or childcare so other parents can check
this guide is for informational purposes only and is not medical advice. if you are concerned about your child, see your GP, call 13 HEALTH (13 43 25 84), or in an emergency call 000. mini mode is not affiliated with any government department or health service.