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How do you get rid of head lice in kids?
Head lice in kids: how to check the scalp, treat with a fine comb or medicine, what to wash at home, and how to keep calm about school notes.
The short answer
To get rid of head lice, check the scalp with a fine-tooth comb, treat with a lice shampoo that fits your child's age or wet-comb every few days, and repeat because eggs hatch in 1 to 2 weeks. Wash recently used bedding and hats in hot water. Lice are a nuisance, not a sign of dirt, and they don't spread disease.
To get rid of head lice in kids, comb through damp hair with a fine-tooth lice comb to find live lice, treat with a lice shampoo that is approved for your child's age or wet-comb on a schedule, and repeat, because the eggs (nits) hatch 1 to 2 weeks after they're laid. KidsHealth explains that some over-the-counter shampoos are safe from 2 months while others are only for kids 2 years and older, and that combing is the only option for babies 2 months old or younger (Head Lice, accessed November 11, 2026).
Take a breath first. Lice are common in preschool and early grades, they don't carry disease, and they have nothing to do with how clean your home is.
How to check
Lice are tiny, tan, and fast. Nits are smaller, oval, and glued to the hair shaft close to the scalp. Unlike dandruff, nits don't flick off.
- Sit your child under a bright light or near a window with a show or a book.
- Wet the hair and add plenty of conditioner so the comb slides.
- Part the hair into sections with clips.
- Run a metal fine-tooth comb from the scalp to the ends of each section.
- Wipe the comb on a white paper towel after each pass and look for lice.
- Check behind the ears and at the nape of the neck, the favorite spots.
Itching is a clue, but many kids with lice don't itch at all at first.
Choosing a treatment
- Over-the-counter lice shampoo or lotion. Read the label for the age range and follow the time exactly. Most need a second treatment 7 to 10 days later to catch newly hatched lice.
- Prescription treatments. If over-the-counter products fail or lice keep coming back, the doctor can prescribe others.
- Wet combing only. Thorough combing of conditioned hair every 3 to 4 days for 2 weeks works for many families and is the choice for young babies.
Avoid kerosene, gasoline, mayonnaise-and-shower-cap marathons, or pet lice products. Don't use a hair dryer after applying a treatment; some are flammable.
Combing out nits, section by section
Set a timer and expect 30 to 60 minutes for long or thick hair. Pick a calm time, not right before school. Small rewards for every five minutes of sitting still go a long way with a 4-year-old. Kids who can't sit can lie on a towel with their head on your lap.
Some parents find it easier to trim very long hair a bit. It's never required.
What to wash, and what not to
Lice don't live long off the head. You don't need to deep-clean the house.
- Wash bedding, pillowcases, hats and scarves used in the last 2 days in hot water, at least 130°F (54.4°C), and dry on a hot cycle for at least 20 minutes, per KidsHealth.
- Soak combs and brushes in hot water for 10 minutes.
- Bag stuffed animals that can't be washed for 2 weeks.
- Vacuum the couch and car seat where heads rest.
Fumigating sprays aren't needed and can be harmful.
Telling the school and friends
Lice, scabies and ringworm shouldn't keep kids out of school, according to KidsHealth; if a teacher finds lice, the child can stay until the end of the day and return after the first treatment (Is My Child Too Sick to Go to School?, accessed November 11, 2026). Still, tell the teacher and the parents of close playmates so they can check their kids. A quiet heads-up spares everyone a second round.
Preventing the next round
- Teach "hats on our own heads."
- Tie long hair back in a braid or bun for school and camp.
- Hang coats on separate hooks when possible.
- Do a quick weekly comb check through the school year.
When to call the doctor
Call if the scalp looks infected (red, warm, oozing), if your child is very young, if you've treated twice and still find live lice, or if you are pregnant and need a treatment for yourself. Lice and fevers aren't linked; if your child has a fever, look for another cause and take a proper reading (Taking Your Child's Temperature, accessed November 11, 2026).
Keeping it light for your child
Kids pick up on worry. Say it simply: "Tiny bugs like to live in hair. They don't hurt you. We'll comb them out together." Make it a routine with a favorite show and a snack. Avoid words like "dirty" or "gross."
If a week of combing has made school mornings shaky, a personalized daycare goodbye book can rehearse the morning routine and the reunion at pickup.
Related reading
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- What to pack for daycare
- Gifts for 2-year-olds
- First Haircut Story: Preview the Salon Honestly
- Is Your Child Ready for a First Sleepover? How to Prepare
Talking to your child about lice
Kids pick up quickly on a parent's disgust. Keep your voice matter-of-fact: "Some tiny bugs moved into your hair. We'll comb them out, and they can't hurt you." Avoid calling them dirty, because lice have nothing to do with being clean.
Make combing time bearable. Put on a show or an audiobook, sit your child in a bath towel cape, and work in small sections with clips. Wipe the comb on a white paper towel after each pass so you can see what comes out. Short sessions every few days beat one long, tearful marathon.
If your child is embarrassed about school, let them decide who to tell. Most schools will handle the note home without naming anyone. And remind them that lots of kids get lice at least once, including kids in their class whose parents never mention it.
FAQ
Can lice jump or fly?
No. They crawl from head to head, usually during close play.
Can pets spread lice?
No. Human head lice live only on people.
Should I treat the whole family?
Check everyone; treat only those with live lice. Share a bed? Ask the doctor.
