Head lice spread primarily through direct head-to-head contact. Because children often play closely together at school, nursery, sports, and sleepovers, this is the most common way lice move from one person to another.

Although much less common, lice may occasionally spread through shared items such as:

• Hair brushes and combs
• Hats and helmets
• Hair accessories
• Pillows and bedding used immediately after an infested person

Unlike many people believe, lice cannot jump or fly — they simply crawl from one head to another.

Knowing the life cycle helps explain why professional treatment is so important.

While no method can guarantee complete prevention, these simple habits can reduce the risk:

• Avoid prolonged head-to-head contact.
• Tie long hair back during school and group activities.
• Avoid sharing brushes, hats, helmets, scarves, and hair accessories.
• Perform regular scalp checks, especially after school outbreaks.
• Check all family members if one person is diagnosed.

Early detection makes treatment easier and helps prevent further spread.

Common signs include:

• Frequent scratching
• Tickling sensation on the scalp
• Small white or brown eggs attached firmly to the hair
• Live lice moving close to the scalp
• Redness or irritation caused by scratching
• Difficulty sleeping due to increased lice activity at night

Not every child experiences itching, so regular inspections are important.

Many over-the-counter treatments and home remedies may reduce live lice but often leave eggs behind.

Common reasons treatments fail include:

• Missing newly hatched lice
• Eggs remaining attached to the hair
• Incomplete combing
• Incorrect product application
• Reinfestation from untreated family members
• Stopping treatment too early

Successful treatment requires careful inspection, patience, specialised equipment, and attention to detail.

If you suspect head lice:

• Stay calm — head lice are common and manageable.
• Confirm the presence of live lice or eggs.
• Avoid unnecessary home remedies that may not be effective.
• Check other household members.
• Inform close contacts or your child's school if appropriate.
• Arrange professional treatment as early as possible to prevent the infestation from spreading.

Professional treatment is recommended when:

• Home treatments have been unsuccessful.
• Live lice continue to appear after treatment.
• Multiple family members are affected.
• The infestation appears severe.
• You are unsure whether you're seeing lice or dandruff.
• You want a faster, more thorough solution with expert guidance.

At Head Start, every treatment follows a detailed professional process using specialised equipment and proven techniques designed to remove live lice, address eggs (nits), and provide families with confidence and peace of mind.

• Head lice have been around for millions of years and have evolved alongside humans.
• Lice cannot jump, fly, or swim — they can only crawl.
• An adult louse is about the size of a sesame seed.
• Eggs are glued firmly to individual hairs and cannot simply be brushed away.
• Head lice survive by feeding on tiny amounts of blood from the scalp several times a day.
• Away from a human scalp, most head lice survive for only about one to two days.
• Anyone can get head lice — children and adults alike.
• Finding lice has nothing to do with cleanliness or personal hygiene.