FAQs                                       

How are head lice spread?

Head lice can be spread by close personal contact with an infested person. Head lice can also be spread through the sharing of personal articles like hats, towels, brushes, helmets, hair ties, etc. There is also a possibility of spreading head lice via a pillow, headrest or similar objects.

Do head lice jump, fly or swim?

No, head lice do not have hind legs to jump. They also do not have wings and cannot fly.

Are head lice found in dirty hair only?

Head lice are found in all types of hair. It is a common mistake to associate head lice with dirty hair. Head lice are not picky and they are equally happy living in clean hair.

Do head lice spread diseases?

No, head lice are not known to transmit any disease agents. Yet, derived infections may result if the skin is broken by repeated scratching.

Can you catch head lice from pillows and furniture?

If a louse comes off the head and is left behind (i.e., on a pillow or head rest), it may be possible for the louse to infest another individual who places their head in that area. Vacuuming carpets and furniture will remove stray lice.

How long can nits and lice survive off a head?

Adult head lice cannot survive more than 24-48 hours when removed from a person's head.

Do pets get head lice?

Head lice cannot be "caught" from pets and cannot survive on pets. They are human parasites and require human blood for survival.

How many times do I need to treat infested hair?

Because nits take about 7 days to hatch it is important to check the hair at least once every 7 days after treatment to ensure that no new head lice are present. If new head lice are found then another treatment is necessary. By checking hair on a weekly basis you can prevent the stress and hassle of removing head lice and keep the whole family lice free.

Should I tell anyone we have head lice in the family?

Having head lice is nothing to hide or be ashamed of. Head lice are very common and most people experience head lice at least once during their lifetime. It is important to inform the school, childcare centre or playgroup where your infested child attends when you experience a head lice infestation. This will enable them to check all close contacts and introduce treatment when necessary. This can also prevent a reoccurrence of head lice and may save you the time and effort of further treatments.

How can I get my children to sit still and let me check their hair?

Checking a child’s hair can be quite a chore when they will not sit still and co-operate. To make this task easier and more effective offer distracting activities to children such as reading, watching television, playing video games or even offer them a scalp massage.

How do I know if the nits are dead or alive?

Only nits or eggs within 1 cm of the scalp will hatch. Eggs that have grown further out with the hair shaft will have already hatched or be dead.