Head lice

Children with head lice are required under the Health (Infectious Diseases) Regulations to be excluded from school, day care or crèche until treatment has commenced.

A child with head lice can be treated one evening and return to school the next day, even if there are some eggs present.

There is no need for a Clearance Certificate from Council.

Treatment

Appropriate lotion/shampoo are available from most chemists.

Advice on the treatment of head lice is available from Council's Health Department on 9599 4417.

Preventing head lice

There is no product available that prevents head lice.

Using the conditioner and comb method once a week will help you detect any head lice early and minimise the problem.

Tying back long hair can prevent the spread of head lice.

Facts about head lice:

• Head lice do not have wings or jumping legs so they cannot fly or jump from head to head.
• Head lice live on the hair shaft but stay close to the scalp to feed.
• Itching of the scalp can be a sign of head lice.
• If lice or eggs are found on the head, treatment is crucial.

If isolated from the head, head lice die within about 24 hours.

More information

Visit the Department of Human Services website for more information on finding and treating head lice.