What should you know about recurring head lice?

Head lice live on the scalp and attach eggs to hair close to the skin. Itching can continue after lice are gone because the skin remains irritated, so itching alone does not prove an active infestation. Recurrence can happen when an application misses live lice or eggs, when instructions are not followed, or when a close contact remains untreated. Lice spread mainly through direct hair-to-hair contact; they do not jump or fly.

Check the scalp and hair in bright light, separating small sections and looking for moving lice or firmly attached eggs near the roots. Use a recommended head lice treatment exactly as labelled, including any repeat application. A fine-toothed comb can help remove lice and eggs. Check household members and close contacts, and avoid sharing combs, brushes, hats, or bedding until advice is clear. A GP consultation can help when the diagnosis or product choice is uncertain.

Seek medical advice if live lice remain after correctly following treatment, the scalp develops sores, pus, spreading redness, or painful swelling, or repeated treatments have irritated the skin. Ask for assessment when itching is severe at night but no live lice can be found, because another scalp problem may be responsible.

Ask how to confirm live lice, whether the product was used at the right time, when a repeat treatment is needed, and how to manage contacts. Mention pregnancy, young children, allergies, or scalp wounds before using a product.