Ambulance 912HAP 9252
Back to all symptoms and conditions
General health information

Head lice

Head lice are unpleasant but do not indicate poor hygiene. They live on hair and scalp and usually spread through direct hair contact. Itching is common, but not everyone notices symptoms immediately. Wet combing is an important way to find and remove lice. Additional treatment may follow local or professional guidance. Do not use pesticides on your own initiative, kerosene or other dangerous home remedies. Treatment failure may involve resistance. Check household members and close contacts too, because reinfestation often occurs among nearby contacts.

In this article
Choose which sections to read

  • Head lice are unpleasant but do not indicate poor hygiene.
  • Transmission usually occurs through direct hair contact, particularly among children.
  • Wet combing is an important way to find and remove lice.
  • Check household members and close contacts to limit reinfestation.
  • Do not use dangerous home remedies such as kerosene or randomly chosen pesticides.

Your response

Two anonymous questions

Did you find what you were looking for?

Do you now have a clearer idea of your next step?

Share article

Email

Do you need a healthcare provider after reading?

Search by type of care, organisation, name or district.

Further reading

Browse A–Z
P
Pubic licePubic lice are an infestation of small lice that mainly live in coarse hair around the genitals. They usually spread through close physical or sexual contact. The lice do not transmit infectious diseases, but itching and scratching can damage the skin.
L
Lichen planusLichen planus is an inflammatory condition of the skin or mucous membranes. It can affect the skin, mouth, genitals, scalp or nails. Symptoms are often not dangerous, but can last a long time and sometimes cause scarring or permanent damage. Oral and genital forms need monitoring, and follow-up matters in some forms because of a small risk of cancerous change.
S
Scalp ringwormScalp ringworm, also called tinea capitis, is a fungal infection of the scalp and hair. Common signs include itching, scaling, broken hairs or bald patches. Cream on the skin alone is usually not enough: because the hair is also affected, treatment with a medicine taken by mouth is often needed under medical guidance. A painful swollen area of inflammation with pus, called a kerion, needs prompt assessment to help prevent permanent hair loss.