Head lice infestation

Updated: 2020-04-14

Overview

Head lice most often affect children who are in direct contact with one another or who share personal items, such as brushes, hats or scarves.

Symptoms

Symptoms include itching, visible lice on the scalp and lice eggs (nits) on the hair shafts.

Treatments

Medicated shampoos often help, but lice are becoming resistant to some. Patiently combing and removing nits, sometimes over several days, is sometimes necessary.