Signs and symptoms

Telling if you have them

Most children will start to vigorously scratch their heads – often during their sleep. However, head lice don’t cause everyone’s heads to itch, especially if you’re an adult.

By examining the hair, you may see a live head louse – which will do its best to hide! You may also spot eggs – brownish if un-hatched or white if empty.

Another tell-tale sign is louse droppings. These look like a dusting of pepper on pillows or clothes.

Remember, the only way to be sure treatment is necessary is by finding a live louse on the head. Spotting eggs (hatched or un-hatched) or having an itchy head doesn’t mean you have head lice.

Telling your children they have them

Finding a live head louse can be upsetting – but the important thing is not to make a big fuss. It’s perfectly normal to have head lice – about 1 in 10 primary school children will catch them each year.

Some parents find it useful to give head lice a nickname – such as bugs, crawlies or nits. Explain that, apart from causing itchiness, they are completely harmless insects that live in anyone’s hair, clean or dirty.

Your child may also like to have a look at our KidsZone.