Chapter 1: Clinical Overview
How to stop head lice spreading:
Advise any close contacts and the child’s school.
After the first treatment is applied, the infected person can return to school or work; untreated children may be asked not to attend school until treatment has occurred.
Avoid head-to-head contact and sharing of combs, brushes, hair accessories.
Tie up long hair to reduce the chance of contact with other’s hair.
Check children’s hair for nits regularly – anyone can catch head lice or become re-infected through an untreated contact. Use the conditioner and comb method once a week aids early detection, especially if the school or contact has reported an infestation
Note: It is very difficult to prevent head lice.
There is no evidence that chemical or herbal products can prevent a head lice infestation.
Some people think that having clean hair can prevent head lice — but head lice are attracted to hair — long or short, clean or not.