Menu Healthy Lifestyle Diseases & Conditions First Aid Symptoms Tests & Procedures Videos Definitions FAQs Head lice infestationUpdated: 2020-04-14OverviewHead lice most often affect children who are in direct contact with one another or who share personal items, such as brushes, hats or scarves. SymptomsSymptoms include itching, visible lice on the scalp and lice eggs (nits) on the hair shafts. TreatmentsMedicated shampoos often help, but lice are becoming resistant to some. Patiently combing and removing nits, sometimes over several days, is sometimes necessary. © 1998-2022 Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research(MFMER). All rights reserved. Terms of Use