Quick read
Key points
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Head lice are tiny insects that live close to the scalp and feed on blood, causing itching. Nits are the empty egg cases left attached to hair strands after the lice have hatched. They're extremely common in young children, especially in school and childcare settings, and spread through direct head-to-head contact.
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Topic-specific prevention and risk reduction will be added during the article-specific evidence audit.
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You're unsure which treatment product is most suitable for your child
01 · Know
What is Head Lice and Nits?
Head lice are tiny insects that live close to the scalp and feed on blood, causing itching. Nits are the empty egg cases left attached to hair strands after the lice have hatched. They're extremely common in young children, especially in school and childcare settings, and spread through direct head-to-head contact.
Head lice have nothing to do with cleanliness — they can affect anyone, regardless of how clean their hair is. They're a nuisance rather than a health risk, and effective treatments are widely available.
02 · Understand
Clinical context
Wet combing is a reliable way to check for live lice
Using a fine-toothed detection comb on wet, conditioned hair is the most reliable way to check for live lice, since nits alone (without live lice) don't necessarily mean an active infestation.
03 · Act
When to Seek Pharmacist or Doctor Advice
- 1You're unsure which treatment product is most suitable for your child
- 2Treatment doesn't seem to be working after a full course
- 3Your child's scalp becomes red, broken, or infected from scratching
04 · Prevent & manage
Practical steps
Only Treat If Live Lice Are Found
Treatment is only needed if live lice are actually found, not just old nit casings, which can persist long after lice are gone.
- 1Check regularly with wet combing.Use a fine-toothed detection comb on wet, conditioned hair to check for live lice.
- 2Use an appropriate treatment if live lice are found.Ask your pharmacist for a product suitable for your child's age, and follow the instructions exactly.
- 3Treat all affected family members at the same time.This helps prevent lice passing back and forth between household members.
- 4Repeat wet combing to check treatment worked.Most treatments recommend a follow-up check a week later to confirm all lice are gone.
- 5There's no need to keep your child home from school.Head lice alone aren't a reason to miss school or childcare.
Evidence
References
BarnMD Health Intelligence uses authoritative and clinically relevant sources appropriate to the topic. References are shown so readers can inspect the evidence directly.
- HSE: Head lice and nits ↗
Medical information notice
Health education, not individual medical advice
BarnMD Health Library provides general health education for public health literacy. Reading this article does not establish a doctor-patient relationship and this information is not a diagnosis, prescription, or personalised treatment plan. If you have symptoms or concerns about your health, seek appropriate advice from a qualified healthcare professional. If you develop emergency warning signs, seek urgent or emergency medical attention.
BarnMD Bottom Line
Head lice are extremely common in young children and have nothing to do with cleanliness — effective treatments are widely available.
Wet combing with a detection comb is the most reliable way to confirm live lice before starting treatment.