Treatments

If you find live lice, firstly, don’t worry. Head lice are a normal part of life and are nothing to be embarrassed, panicked or ashamed about.

How to get rid of head lice?

There are FOUR types of head lice treatment:

  • Pesticide lotions and liquids
  • Non-pesticide lotions
  • Wet combing with conditioner (Bug Busting)
  • Alternative treatments (herbal remedies etc

PESTICIDE based treatments are available in pharmacies and can also be prescribed on the NHS. You need to apply these treatments at least twice, a week apart, to kill the lice however there is strong evidence that the head lice population is becoming increasingly resistance to these remedies due to overuse over a long period of time.

NON-PESTICIDE lotions work in a different way. They coat the outside of the lice so they suffocate and die. This means there’s no chance for the lice to build up a resistance to the treatment.

WET COMBING removes lice and nits but does take time and patience to ensure a thorough job is done. It’s quite easy to miss a few and needs to be done twice a week for at least two weeks.

ALTERNATIVE TREATMENTS and herbal options are available – although their effectiveness varies.

Go to your local pharmacy for information and advice on which treatment is right for you.

Applying Treatment

  • Treatment should only be applied if a living, moving louse is found – never ‘just in case’
  • When applying treatment, cover the full length of hair and ensure treatment is left on for the recommended time – following on-pack instructions carefully
  • Keep lotion out of eyes and off the face – do not use the hair dryer and keep away from flames, stoves, cigarettes and other sources of heat

“Based on the evidence currently available, I would recommend dimeticone (non-pesticide treatment) as a first choice treatment option for head lice”
Ian Burgess,
Director of the Medical Entomology Centre

STOP!

Shaving your child’s hair as a way to prevent head lice is a complete myth. It is unnecessary and can be really upsetting for your child!

Did you know?

Research by scientists has found that 4 out of 5 lice have developed resistance to the chemicals in some pesticide treatments.

Detection Comb New Comb

A reliable method for diagnosing head lice infection, the Hedrin Head Lice Detection Comb is 3.84 times more effective than a visual inspection alone.