Always do a second treatment 7 to 10 days after the first. This is to kill any head lice that may have hatched after the first treatment.

Wet combing:

• Wet the hair and scalp with conditioner (this makes it easier to see the head lice).
• Use a fine-toothed comb to check for head lice and eggs and to comb them out. It is best to use a fine metal comb, or a special head lice comb you can get from a pharmacy.
• Comb the full length of the hair, from the scalp to the ends. Work your way around the head so that you have combed all of the hair.
• If you see any head lice or eggs, clean the comb by wiping it on a tissue or a paper towel, or rinse the comb before you use it again.
• After you have combed all of the hair, rinse out the conditioner.
• If you find lice or eggs, repeat these steps every day if you can manage it, but at least every 2 to 3 days. You can stop when you find no lice or eggs for 3 days in a row.

Check the hair of everyone in the house twice a week for the next 2 weeks to make sure everyone stays clear.

• Brush hair every day. This may help kill or injure head lice and stop them from laying eggs.
• Do not share brushes, combs, headbands, ribbons, hairclips, helmets or hats - anything that touches someone’s head.
• Have short hair or wear long hair in a ponytail to make it less likely you will catch head lice.
• Tamariki should hang their clothes on their own hook at school.
• Tamariki should keep their clothes apart from other children’s in swimming or sport changing rooms.
• If you do get head lice in your whānau, everyone that has them should be treated at the same time.

Let the school and any other close friends know that your tamariki have been treated for head lice.