Health New Zealand Te Whatu Ora
Chemical treatments or wet combing are the usual ways to treat head lice. Talk to your pharmacist, healthcare provider or nurse for advice. Ordinary shampoo or soap will not kill head lice.
Do not use fly spray, kerosene or animal treatments, as these may harm tamariki.
Chemical Treatments
Chemical treatments use a special shampoo or lotion that kills the head lice and the eggs. Follow the instructions that are supplied with the chemical treatments.
Always do a second treatment 7 to 10 days after the first. This is to kill any head lice that may have hatched after the first treatment.
Wet Combing
- Wet the hair and scalp with conditioner (this makes it easier to see the head lice)
- Use a fine-toothed comb to check for head lice and eggs and to comb them out. It is best to use a fine metal comb, or a special head lice comb you can get from a pharmacy.
- Comb the full length of the hair, from the scalp to the ends. Work your way around the head so that you have combed all of the hair.
- If you see any head lice or eggs, clean the comb by wiping it on a tissue or a paper towel, or rinse the comb before you use it again.
- After you have combed all of the hair, rinse out the conditioner.
- If you find lice or eggs, repeat these steps every day if you can manage it, but at least every 2 to 3 days. You can stop when you find no lice or eggs for 3 days in a row.
Check the hair of everyone in the house twice a week for the next 2 weeks to make sure everyone stays clear.
NOTE: Nit/Lice treatment and nit combs are available at the school office.