Head Lice

Head lice are highly contagious and cause intense itching. They occur most commonly in crowded conditions, or in schools, and may be contracted from an infected person, or from their clothes, hairbrush or comb, bath-towels or bed-linens. Unlike body lice, head lice do not carry contagious diseases.

Anyone can catch head lice, and the condition usually affects children in a family before being passed on to the adults. However, while head lice cannot be prevented, they are fairly easily managed with appropriate treatment.

Signs, Symptoms & Diagnosis

Itchiness is the main symptom of head lice. The neck and the scalp above the ears are the most commonly affected areas. On children, scratch marks in these areas should arouse suspicion of head lice. However, not all children with head lice report itchiness. Other symptoms of head lice include red bumps or inflamed areas on the scalp, neck and shoulders. The bumps on the skin may ooze or have a crust.

Head lice also infest clothing, but are difficult to see except in cases of heavy infestation. They can live on clothing, bedding or carpet for ten days, and the eggs can survive for more than two weeks.

Head lice may be diagnosed by inspection. You will need to search for both live lice and nits. However, as the lice are only 2-3 millimetres long, they may be difficult to see.

Undertake any examination for head lice under bright lights or in full sun, using disposable gloves: part the hair down to the scalp to look for eggs (nits) or moving lice.  The lice lay their eggs near the base of on the hair shaft. These eggs may appear dark or light in colour, depending on the hair colour, may resemble dandruff flakes, and are difficult to remove. The top of the neck and around the ears are the most common areas of infestation and should be closely examined.

If the head lice do not respond to home-treatment, or if affected skin becomes red or tender (indicating infection), contact your doctor.

How to Treat Head Lice

Head lice spread quickly and are highly contagious, and the presence of as little as one egg warrants immediate treatment.

Head lice may be treated by prescription or non-prescription medications. Non-prescription medications available at most pharmacies include shampoos and lotions containing a variety of active ingredients, including permethrin, an insecticide.

To remove nits from the hair-shaft, special fine-toothed combs are available. Removing the eggs may prevent a reinfestation, even when the live lice have been killed.

If non-prescription products fail to rid you or your child of head lice, your doctor should be able to prescribe another insecticide.  

Use all head lice medications exactly as directed on the package instructions. Do NOT use a two-in-one shampoo/conditioner before applying any treatment.

Note: An essential part of any head lice treatment-regimen is to wash all clothes and bed-linens in hot water, with detergent, as well as thorough vacuuming of any carpet that may harbour head lice or nits. Also, avoid sharing any hair-care equipment, bedding, clothes or towels with anyone who is infected. Thoroughly clean all brushes, combs and hair-ribbons or hair-ties with water and detergent.

Head Lice Products from Netpharmacy:

Consult your doctor before treating a baby, an elderly person, or anyone weighing less than 110 pounds (50 kilograms), as treatment may cause significant side effects in these groups.

Over The Counter Treatments

A-lices Scalp and Body Hygiene Shampoo

Full Marks Mousse 150g

Moov Head Lice Combing Condition with Removal Comb 100ml

Moov Head Lice Solution With Eucalyptus Oil 200ml

Nads Lice Control Total Solution Pack

Para Plus Aerosol Spray 90g

Parasidose Lice Repellent Aerosol 100ml

Parasidose Lice Shampoo 200ml

Prioderm Cream Shampoo 1%

Natural Remedies

Wild Child Eliminator 125ml

Wild Child Quit Nits Advance 60ml

Electric Blue Headlice Cream 200ml

Between Treatment Products

Thursday Plantation Conditioner 200ml Bottle

Thursday Plantation Shampoo 200ml Bottle

Moov Head Lice Foaming Gel With Eucalyptus and Anise Oil 200ml

Wild Child Defence Styling Mud 100g

Wild Child Head Lice Defence Spray 125ml

In some cases, scratching head lice leads to a secondary skin infection that may be relieved by antihistamines - just ask your doctor or pharmacist.

When to See Your Doctor

If the head lice do not respond to home-treatment, or if affected skin becomes red or tender (indicating infection), see your doctor.

Helpful Links

 DermNet New Zealand

 Everybody.co.nz

 New Zealand Ministry of Education