What are head lice?
Head lice are tiny insects that live in hair and feed on the scalp. They’re very common in young children and can quickly spread through families by head-to-head contact. Although they don’t usually cause serious health issues, they can be uncomfortable and itchy, and often bring added stress for parents until they’re treated.
Head lice have a short but busy life cycle that makes regular checking and repeat treatments important.
- Eggs (nits): These are tiny, oval-shaped, and usually yellow or white. They’re glued firmly to the hair near the scalp and hatch in about 7-10 days.
- Nymphs: Once hatched, young lice (nymphs) look like smaller versions of adults. They grow and mature within 7-10 days.
- Adults: Fully grown lice are about the size of a sesame seed. They can live for up to 30 days on the scalp but will die within a day or two if they fall off the head.
Because eggs can survive the first treatment, a second application after 7 days is usually needed to kill newly hatched lice before they can grow and lay more eggs.
How do you get head lice?
Head lice can’t jump or fly. They crawl from one person’s hair to another when heads touch, so they’re common in young children who play closely together.
It’s a common myth that head lice are caused by poor hygiene. In reality, lice don’t care if your hair is clean or dirty, as they can live in any type of hair. Having head lice isn’t a sign of unwashed hair; it just means there’s been close contact with someone who already has them.
Symptoms of Head Lice
The most common sign of head lice is itching, usually caused by an allergic reaction to their bites. Some people may also feel tickling as lice move through the hair.
Other signs to look out for include:
- Small red bumps or sores on the scalp or around the ears from scratching
- Tiny white or yellow eggs are attached to hair close to the scalp
- Live lice, which can be harder to spot as they move quickly
- Irritability or trouble sleeping in children, as lice are more active at night
Not everyone with head lice will itch straight away, so it’s important to check hair carefully if you think someone in the family may be affected.
Head Lice and Nit Treatment Options
Head lice can feel frustrating to deal with, but with the right treatment products, they can be managed quickly at home. At Click2Pharmacy, we stock treatments that are safe for children and adults, designed to make the process easier:
- Hedrin 4% Lotion – A well-known treatment that coats and kills head lice, usually left on overnight before washing out.
- Hedrin 4% Lotion Spray – A simple silicone-based spray for even coverage on the hair and scalp.
- Lyclear Cream Rinse – This product works on both lice and their eggs. Its conditioner-like texture helps when you comb the hair through.
- Calamine Lotion & Calamine Cream – Soothes irritation and itching on the scalp, bringing extra comfort during treatment.
Alongside these, wet combing with a steel comb or detection comb is an important part of treatment to get rid of head lice. Repeating treatment after seven days helps make sure all lice are cleared.