Medical App & Medical Advice with Hello Doctor

How to identify and treat a lice infestation

What are head lice?

Head lice are wingless, parasitic insects that live and feed on blood from the human scalp. They are white to grey-brown and about the size of a sesame seed. These tiny insects infest in human hair, and sometimes in the eyebrows and eyelashes.

Head-to-head contact spreads head lice. These little critters climb from the hair of an infected person to the hair of another. An infestation of head lice most often affects children. However, it is possible for people of any age to become infested with these pesky creatures.

Why is it a common occurrence in children?
Children have frequent head-to-head contact with other children, usually from interacting at sports activities, games, sleepovers and camping. The playground and childcare centres also provide prime breeding and sharing ground for lice. Children also tend to be lax with their personal space. They are more likely to share personal items (clothing and hairbrushes), which make it easy for head lice to travel.

Signs and symptoms

  • Itching of the scalp, neck and ears.
  • A ticklish feeling or crawling sensation on the scalp or neck.
  • Red, irritated skin on the scalp and neck as a result of excessive scratching.
  • Lice or lice eggs on the scalp or shafts of hair.

Ditch the itch

  • Comb the hair section-by-section with a special comb (you can buy one at the pharmacy) to remove lice and nits.
  • Use olive oil to loosen and suffocate lice and nits. Apply before bedtime for the best results.
  • A hair dryer is effective to get rid of nits due to the heat, but not for live lice.
  • Check at the pharmacy for over-the-counter medication that may help.
  • Once the lice and its eggs have been cleared, and treatment is complete, thoroughly clean all bedding, furniture, carpets and clothing.
  • Hairbrushes and other hair accessories should also be cleaned properly.

What else could it be?
Lice spread easily but your itchy scalp could be caused by other reasons.

  1. Dandruff
    Your body reacts in different ways to the overgrowth of yeast, and sometimes these responses cause itching and flaking on your scalp.
  2. Allergic reactions
    Hair dyes (allergies to chemicals), eczema and atopic dermatitis are other less common causes of itchy scalp.
  3. Psoriasis
    This is a chronic disease that causes reddish, scaly patches on the skin or scalp. You can’t get psoriasis from other people. It is not clear what causes psoriasis but talk to your dermatologist about medication and shampoos that might help.

Good to know

  • Don’t share head-touching items like brushes, combs, scarfs and coats.
  • Regularly check household objects like towels, bedding and mats for lice or nits.
  • If you have children explain about lice and how to prevent them.
  • Minimise head-to-head contact.

References