he whakaaritanga hauora koreutu mo nga tamariki katoa

Facts

• Head lice are small insects (2-3 mm long).
• Nits are head lice eggs which look like small white specks.
• Head lice feed on blood from the scalp, causing bites. 
• Anyone can catch head lice, they crawl between heads during close contact. 
• They can be spread by sharing hats, combs and brushes which they can live on for two days. Swimming/bathing does not remove head lice or nits. 
• For more information see www.kidshealth.org.nz.

What to look for 

• White specks attached to hair close to the scalp (nits). 
• Brown/grey insects moving in the hair. 
• Tickling feeling in the hair, being itchy, and scratching hair. 
• Small red marks on the scalp and/or neck (bites).

If head lice are suspected 

• Treat with wet-combing method (over page), or
• See your general practice team to access medical treatment.

To avoid head lice infestations 

• Brush hair every day – injured lice are unlikely to breed. 
• Don’t share hairbrushes, hats or hair ties. 
• Keep hair tied up. 
• Wet comb once a week for early detection. 
• Soak hair equipment for 10 minutes in hot water every week.

Tips 

• When treating head lice, treat everyone on the same day to avoid re-infection. 
• Wash linen and towels when treating head lice to avoid re-infection. 
• Use only products designed to treat head lice in humans. 

Wet combing head lice treatment and prevention

1. Make your child comfortable. Put lots of conditioner through wet or dry hair.
2. Comb or brush out knots with an ordinary comb.
3. Change to a fine-tooth head lice comb and comb sections. Comb from the roots to the ends of the hair.
4. After each comb, wipe the conditioner on to a paper towel or tissue.
5. Comb each part of the head, section by section. Comb each section 4 or 5 times. Rinse out conditioner.

If you find lice or nits, repeat these steps every day, or at least every 2 to 3 days – until no lice found for 3 days in a row. Check the hair of everyone in the house 2 times a week for 2 weeks to make sure head lice stay away.