Head lice
Effective home treatments to get rid of lice.
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Your treatment delivered in secure packaging, the very next day.
Aftercare
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Summary
- Head lice are tiny brown-grey insects that live, breed and feed on the human scalp.
- They can affect anyone, and cause an itchy, uncomfortable sensation.
- Treatments often come as solutions you apply directly to your hair.
Here’s what's included in the price:
Consultation
Answer a few questions about your health so we can get to know you better.
Free 24h delivery
Your treatment delivered in secure packaging, the very next day.
Aftercare
We’ll check in with you regularly to see how your treatment is going.
Head lice
What are head lice?
Head lice are small insects that like to live on the scalp. Head lice hatch out of tiny egg cases, known as nits, that are attached to the hair usually near to the root. Living adults are about 3mm long and quite difficult to spot, most people notice the eggs first.
They feed on human blood through the scalp. Their bites, saliva and faeces can make the scalp feel itchy and unpleasant. These small crawling insects can’t fly, jump or burrow into your scalp. They don’t cause any other health problems but they’re certainly a pest.
Head lice can affect anyone with long or short hair and they have no preference when it comes to cleanliness. They’re just happy spreading from one person to the next through close contact.
Who gets head lice?
Head lice can affect anyone, however they are more common in school age children between the ages of four to 11 years and girls tend to get them more than boys. Families with school age children may be more susceptible to a head lice infestation.
Head lice spread easily with head-to-head contact. It’s less likely that they’ll transfer between people through the sharing of combs, hats or pillows.
How common are head lice?
Head lice infestations are very common. Most people will experience one at some point in their life. As we’ve mentioned, there are some groups of people who may be more likely to come into contact with head lice. Parents of school age children tend to dread receiving notification of a head lice infestation in their child’s class. But adults can catch them too.
This page was medically reviewed by Dr Daniel Atkinson, GP Clinical Lead on March 17, 2023. Next review due on March 17, 2025.
How we source info.
When we present you with stats, data, opinion or a consensus, we’ll tell you where this came from. And we’ll only present data as clinically reliable if it’s come from a reputable source, such as a state or government-funded health body, a peer-reviewed medical journal, or a recognised analytics or data body. Read more in our editorial policy.
Head lice
What causes head lice infestations?
Head lice are passed on from one person to another by close contact. When you put your head close to the head of a person with lice, there’s a high chance you’ll get infested.
Lice don’t have a preference for dirty or clean hair and can affect anyone. The best way to avoid a lice infestation is to not put your head near the head of anyone who already has lice. Those with longer hair styles may wish to keep their hair tied back, so that there’s less chance of a loose hair strand inviting a little visitor onto your scalp.
Using a fine-toothed comb regularly can help you spot the first signs of lice infestation.
What are the symptoms of a head lice infestation?
Head lice can be difficult to spot even with close inspection. The only way to be sure that you have head lice is to find a living one in your hair. This is usually done by combing your hair with a special fine-toothed comb.
Other signs that you may have lice include:
- an itchy scalp
- a rash on the back of the neck or ears
- feeling as though something is moving in the hair
- small white eggs or nits (egg cases) in the hair behind the ears or at the back of the neck
Can head lice lead to other problems?
Head lice are pretty harmless, but they can live in the hair for a long time and can be irritating and frustrating to deal with.
Head lice don’t cause any other serious health problems but they can make you feel self conscious. You might catch yourself itching your head a lot or find an itchy rash appearing behind the neck and ears. This itchiness can even lead to disturbed sleep.
Also, it’s very unlikely you’ll get an infection from having lice, but you should try to avoid scratching the scalp.
This page was medically reviewed by Dr Daniel Atkinson, GP Clinical Lead on March 17, 2023. Next review due on March 17, 2025.
How we source info.
When we present you with stats, data, opinion or a consensus, we’ll tell you where this came from. And we’ll only present data as clinically reliable if it’s come from a reputable source, such as a state or government-funded health body, a peer-reviewed medical journal, or a recognised analytics or data body. Read more in our editorial policy.
Head lice
This page was medically reviewed by Dr Daniel Atkinson, GP Clinical Lead on March 17, 2023. Next review due on March 17, 2025.
How we source info.
When we present you with stats, data, opinion or a consensus, we’ll tell you where this came from. And we’ll only present data as clinically reliable if it’s come from a reputable source, such as a state or government-funded health body, a peer-reviewed medical journal, or a recognised analytics or data body. Read more in our editorial policy.
Reference Popover #ref1
Treated trusted source
www.bad.org.uk. (n.d.).
British Association of Dermatologists - Patient Information Leaflets (PILs).
Reference Popover #ref2
Treated trusted source
bpac.org.nz. (n.d.).
4% dimethicone lotion: a subsidised treatment for head lice - Best Practice Advocacy Centre New Zealand.
This page was medically reviewed by Dr Daniel Atkinson, GP Clinical Lead on March 17, 2023. Next review due on March 17, 2025.
Hedrin Lotion
DimeticoneThe quick and easy fix to get lice-free hair
- Starting from £37.95
Start now
Derbac M
MalathionWeekly head lice treatment that’s 98% effective. Easy to use liquid.
- Starting from £51.95
Lyclear Crème Rinse
PermethrinQuick 10-minute treatment for head lice. Suitable for asthmatics, with a pleasant smell.
- Starting from £35.00
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Disclaimer: The information provided on this page is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. If you have any questions or concerns about your health, please talk to a doctor.
