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How do I get rid of head lice fast?
Head lice are common and not caused by dirty hair. You can treat them at home with wet combing or medicated lotions.
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What it is
Head lice are tiny insects that live on people’s heads. Adult lice are about the size of sesame seeds. The eggs, called nits, are even smaller, about the size of a dandruff flake [8]. Lice and nits are found on or near the scalp, most often at the neckline and behind the ears [8]. Head lice are parasites, and they need to feed on human blood to survive [8]. They are not caused by dirty hair and are picked up by head-to-head contact [2]. Lice move by crawling; they cannot hop or fly [5]. Dogs, cats, and other pets do not carry or spread human lice [5].
Symptoms include a tickling feeling in the hair, frequent itching caused by an allergic reaction to the bites, sores from scratching, and trouble sleeping because head lice are most active in the dark [9]. A diagnosis usually comes from seeing a louse or nit, and you may need a magnifying lens and a fine-toothed comb to find them [9].
What you can do at home
Treat head lice as soon as you spot them. You can treat head lice without seeing a GP [2]. Check everyone you live with or have close contact with, and start treating anyone who has head lice on the same day [2]. There is no need to keep your child off school if they have head lice [2]. You do not need to wash your laundry on a hot wash [2].
Wet combing is one option. You can buy a special fine-toothed comb (detection comb) online or from pharmacies [4]. Usually you:
- Wash hair with ordinary shampoo
- Apply lots of conditioner (any conditioner will do)
- Comb the whole head of hair, using the detection comb, from the roots to the ends [4]
It usually takes about 10 minutes to comb short hair, and 20 to 30 minutes for long, frizzy or curly hair [4]. When you have finished combing the hair, comb through all the hair again for a second time [4]. Do wet combing on days 1, 5, 9 and 13 to catch any newly hatched head lice. Check again that everyone’s hair is free of lice on day 17 [4].
If wet combing has not worked or is not suitable, you could try a medicated lotion or spray. These kill head lice in all types of hair, and you can buy them from pharmacies, supermarkets or online [1]. Head lice should die within a day [1]. Some treatments need to be repeated after a week to kill any newly hatched lice [1]. Check the pack to see if they are OK for you or your child to use, and how to use them [1]. If lotions or sprays do not work, speak to a pharmacist about other treatments [1].
Treatments that are not recommended because they are unlikely to work include products containing permethrin, head lice “repellents,” electric combs, plant oil treatments such as tea tree oil, eucalyptus oil and lavender oil, and herbal remedies [1]. There is no clear scientific evidence that lice can be suffocated by home remedies, such as mayonnaise, olive oil, or similar substances [10]. Do not use kerosene or gasoline; they are dangerous and flammable [10].
There is nothing you can do to prevent head lice [3]. You can help stop them spreading by wet combing regularly to catch them early [3]. Do not use medicated lotions and sprays to prevent head lice; they can irritate the scalp [3].
When to see a doctor or go to the emergency department
If an over-the-counter treatment does not work for you, you can ask your health care provider for a prescription product [7]. Check with your health care provider first if you are pregnant or nursing, or if you want to use a treatment on a young child [7]. If you are not sure which over-the-counter treatment to use or how to use one, ask your health care provider or pharmacist [7]. Sores from scratching can sometimes become infected with bacteria [9]. If you have concerns about infected sores, seek medical advice.
Common questions
Do I need to wash everything in hot water? No, you do not need to wash your laundry on a hot wash [2]. However, if you already have lice, besides treatment, you can wash clothes, bedding, and towels with hot water and dry them using the hot cycle of the dryer [10]. You can also soak combs and brushes in hot water for 5-10 minutes, vacuum the floor and furniture, and seal items that cannot be washed in a plastic bag for two weeks [10].
Can my child go to school? There is no need to keep your child off school if they have head lice [2]. However, be sure to check the policies at school or daycare, as your child may not be able to go back until the lice have been completely treated [10].
Should I treat everyone in the family? Check everyone you live with, or have close contact with, and start treating anyone who has head lice on the same day [2]. All household members and other close contacts should be checked and treated if necessary [7].
Sources
[1] NHS — “Head lice and nits” (2024), section “Medicated lotions and sprays”, p. 1 — https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/head-lice-and-nits/ [2] NHS — “Head lice and nits” (2024), section “Head lice and nits”, p. 1 — https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/head-lice-and-nits/ [3] NHS — “Head lice and nits” (2024), section “You cannot prevent head lice”, p. 1 — https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/head-lice-and-nits/ [4] NHS — “Head lice and nits” (2024), section “Wet combing”, p. 1 — https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/head-lice-and-nits/ [5] CDC — “About Lice”, section “Types”, p. 1 — https://www.cdc.gov/lice/about/index.html [7] MedlinePlus — “Head Lice” (2025), section “What are the treatments for head lice?”, p. 1 — https://medlineplus.gov/headlice.html [8] MedlinePlus — “Head Lice” (2025), section “What are head lice?”, p. 1 — https://medlineplus.gov/headlice.html [9] MedlinePlus — “Head Lice” (2025), section “What are the symptoms of head lice?”, p. 1 — https://medlineplus.gov/headlice.html [10] MedlinePlus — “Head Lice” (2025), section “Can head lice be prevented?”, p. 1 — https://medlineplus.gov/headlice.html
This guide summarises published paediatric guidelines. It is not medical advice and does not replace your paediatrician. In an emergency, call your local emergency number.
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