Healthdirect Free Australian health advice you can count on.

Medical problem? Call 1800 022 222. If you need urgent medical help, call triple zero immediately

healthdirect Australia is a free service where you can talk to a nurse or doctor who can help you know what to do.

Removing head lice can be done using the conditioner and comb method.

Removing head lice can be done using the conditioner and comb method.
beginning of content

Head lice

3-minute read

Head lice (nits) are a common problem in primary school aged children. Head lice do not spread disease, but their bites can cause itching and sometimes skin irritation. There are safe and effective ways to treat head lice at home.

What are head lice?

Head lice are tiny wingless insects about the size of a sesame seed that live in the hair of humans and animals where they feed on blood by biting the skin. Head lice commonly affect children but adults can also have lice.

What are the symptoms of head lice?

Lice often cause itching of the skin. Bites can cause the skin to become red and irritated, which can be made worse by scratching.

You can see the lice and nits (eggs) if you look closely at your head and scalp. Nits look like tiny white dots attached firmly to the hair. They cannot be brushed or flicked off the hair, but must be physically removed with fingers or fingernails or special nit combs.

How are head lice spread?

Head lice are only found on the human head or hair. Lice can spread when people are in close contact and when they share an affected comb or hair brush.

Lice need warmth and blood to survive so they do not live for long on furniture, hats, bedding, carpet or anywhere else in the environment.

How are head lice treated?

There are two main treatment options for head lice:

  • wet combing using conditioner and a fine-tooth comb
  • chemical removal using synthetic or natural insecticides

The wet combing method is a cheap and effective way to treat head lice. The conditioner doesn’t kill the lice but it briefly stuns them, making it easier for the nit comb to trap and remove the lice and eggs.

If you decide to use chemical treatment, it is important that you follow the instructions closely. Repeat the chemical treatment in a week to kill any newly hatched eggs.

No single treatment works for everyone. You might need to try a few different treatments or a combination to find the method that works best for you.

Should I keep my child home from school?

There is no requirement to keep children home from school or child care as long as effective treatment begins before the next day of school or child care.

Can head lice be prevented?

It is difficult to prevent head lice. There is no evidence that chemical or herbal products can ward off head lice. Some people think that having clean hair can prevent head lice — but head lice are attracted to hair — long or short, clean or not. For more information and support:

For more information and support:

Learn more here about the development and quality assurance of healthdirect content.

Last reviewed: March 2021


Back To Top

Need more information?

These trusted information partners have more on this topic.

Top results

Head lice and nits in children | Raising Children Network

Kids often get head lice (also called nits), especially at child care, preschool and school. This guide explains head lice treatment, causes and symptoms.

Read more on raisingchildren.net.au website

Head lice (nits) - Better Health Channel

No product can prevent head lice, but regular checks can help prevent the spread.

Read more on Better Health Channel website

Head lice

Head lice are tiny insects that bite the skin and feed on blood. Use our step by step guide to help you treat and prevent head lice infestations for you and your child.

Read more on Pregnancy, Birth & Baby website

Treatment - Head lice

There are two main treatment options to remove head lice: mechanical removal and chemical removal. Head lice are only found on the human head or hair. Treating anything other than the human head does not eradicate head lice.

Read more on NSW Health website

Head lice

Head lice are tiny insect parasites that live on your head and feed on your scalp (the skin covering your head).

Read more on WA Health website

Head lice | Health and wellbeing | Queensland Government

Head lice are small, wingless, egg laying insects found on the human head.

Read more on Queensland Health website

Head lice - including symptoms treatment and prevention | SA Health

Head lice are small wingless biting insects which live and breed in human hair and feed by sucking blood from the scalp

Read more on SA Health website

Parasites | NT.GOV.AU

Scabies, strongyloidiasis, naegleria fowleri, malaria, head lice, parasites in the Northern Territory.

Read more on NT Health website

ACD A-Z of Skin - Pediculosis

Pediculosis is the medical term for an infection or infestation with lice which are blood feeding parasites.

Read more on Australasian College of Dermatologists website

Body lice - Better Health Channel

Body lice can spread from one person to another when the environmental conditions are crowded and unhygienic.

Read more on Better Health Channel website

Healthdirect 24hr 7 days a week hotline

24 hour health advice you can count on

1800 022 222

Government Accredited with over 140 information partners

We are a government-funded service, providing quality, approved health information and advice

Australian Government, health department logo ACT Government logo New South Wales government, health department logo Northen Territory Government logo Queensland Government logo Government of South Australia, health department logo Tasmanian government logo Victorian government logo Government of Western Australia, health department logo

Healthdirect Australia acknowledges the Traditional Owners of Country throughout Australia and their continuing connection to land, sea and community. We pay our respects to the Traditional Owners and to Elders both past and present.