Head Lice Treatment: Simple Steps To Take When Your Child Brings Home Head Lice

Back-to-school season is upon us, bringing a mix of anticipation and anxiety. New backpacks, fresh school supplies, and the thrill of seeing friends again give kids something to look forward to, while parents celebrate no longer hearing “I’m bored” ten thousand times a day. But being back in school also starts the worry countdown to which kid will be sick first. It feels like a wave of germs rolls in with each school year. And the thought of head lice adds to that stress. 

Protecting our kids from these problems helps everyone have a great year. This time of year also allows for important teachable moments, like teaching our kids about healthy habits and the importance of looking out for one another. This article shares practical advice on limiting the spread of germs and head lice treatment, so you can focus on the fun parts of the school year without added worries. 

*This is a sponsored post. Information is shared for educational purposes.

Common Illnesses Keeping Kids Home from School (and how to limit the spread)

Every school absence can affect not just learning but also social interactions, so it’s vital to avoid and limit the spread of germs whenever possible. 

• Colds and Flu: Colds spread easily and are the common cause of missed school days. Teach your kids to cough or sneeze into a tissue or their elbow, and to wash their hands often. For the flu, getting a flu shot is an important form of prevention. 
• Lice: Lice are tiny bugs that live on the scalp and cause itching. Kids usually catch lice from close contact with someone who has them. To keep your family safe, teach your child to avoid sharing hats, helmets, hair accessories, towels, or other personal items. Make sure they don’t share cubbies or lockers, either. Many schools no longer require kids to stay home if they have lice, as long as treatment is underway. 
• Pink Eye: Pink eye, or conjunctivitis, spreads easily in schools. Symptoms include red, itchy eyes and yellow or green goo. If your child has pink eye, they’ll need antibiotic eye drops from a doctor. Good handwashing is the best way to prevent it.
• Strep Throat: Besides a sore throat, it can cause a runny nose, high fever, and headaches. If you suspect strep throat, get a strep test and treat with antibiotics. Teach your child to stay away from anyone with a sore throat and to wash their hands often. They should also avoid sharing drinks or utensils.
• Stomach Flu: The stomach flu is contagious and can cause stomach aches, vomiting, and diarrhea, which might lead to dehydration. Remind your child to wash their hands after using the bathroom and before eating. They also shouldn’t share drinks or utensils.

All these illnesses add up, causing students to miss significant class time and catch up on homework later. Getting in the habit of proper handwashing and avoiding sharing items that touch food, the head, or the face can prevent many of these illnesses.

What to do if you suspect your child has lice?

Head lice are surprisingly common, especially among kids. They spread mainly through direct head-to-head contact. Kids playing closely together, sharing hats, hairbrushes, or towels can give lice a chance to spread. Remember to reassure kids (and yourself) that having lice doesn’t mean they’re dirty.

Is it lice? How do you know if your child has lice? Itching is by far the most common sign. This itching often happens on the scalp or around the neck. You might also see small red sores on the scalp from bites and scratching. Kids may also notice a strange tickling feeling, like something is crawling in their hair. Lice are usually more active at night, which can make it tough to get a good night’s sleep.

When you’re checking for lice, use a bright light and a fine-toothed comb, and check the scalp, around the ears, and the back of the neck. You might notice some tiny bugs that look like little sesame seeds scurrying around. Keep an eye out for small, oval eggs, known as nits. 

How to treat head lice?

How to get rid of lice? Many parents turn to home remedies, hoping for an easy fix for head lice. Common tricks like mayonnaise, olive oil, or essential oils lack scientific support. Often, they just waste time. Since head lice is a medical issue, it really needs proper treatment from a doctor.

Over-the-counter head lice treatments typically use active ingredients like permethrin 1% or pyrethrins combined with piperonyl butoxide to paralyze and kill live lice. The most common over-the-counter lice treatments are Permethrin 1% (Nix) and Pyrethrins and Piperonyl Butoxide (RID). These may also require re-treatment because they do not kill eggs, and parents will need to use nit combs to remove nits and lice from their child’s hair as part of the treatment. 

Parents may want to rush to the nearest pharmacy to grab these common lice products, but the results may not be satisfactory. Lice have evolved to survive the ingredients in familiar products, just like bacteria are becoming resistant to antibiotics. According to the Journal of Medical Entomology, 98% of lice are resistant to common pharmacy-aisle treatments like permethrin and pyrethrin.

Head lice clinics can be quite pricey and usually involve long wait times. On top of that, many require parents to return for follow-up visits to remove any leftover eggs that weren’t removed. This can be frustrating and might not feel like the best use of anyone’s time or money.

So how to get rid of lice naturally in one day? Studies found Spinosad Topical Suspension 0.9% was superior to other products, with no nit combing required. This prescription head lice medicine kills head lice that infest the scalp and their nits (eggs), which cause itching and can lead to reinfestation.

Spinosad Topical Suspension 0.9% works in these unique ways:

• It stays on the scalp rather than being absorbed into the body.
• It requires only one 10-minute application with no combing. 
• It kills both lice and nits.
• It is naturally derived.

Follow head lice treatment with some housekeeping: 

• Washing: Clean the sheets, pillowcases, and any clothes worn by the sick person in hot water. Use the dryer on high heat.
• Soak: Put hairbrushes, combs, and hair clips in hot water (at least 130°F) for 5 to 10 minutes.
• Vacuum: Give rugs, soft couches, and car seats a quick vacuum.
• Bag non-washables: If stuffed animals or special items can’t go in the dryer, put them in a plastic bag for 2 weeks.

More information is available at natroba.com, or you can ask your doctor about Spinosad Topical Suspension 0.9%. 

As students head back to school, maintaining good hygiene is essential. With the increased interaction among children, the spread of germs and lice becomes a significant concern for both parents and educators. Simple preventive measures, such as regular handwashing, using hand sanitizers, and checking for lice, can make a big difference in curbing outbreaks. Teaching children hygiene practices not only protects their health but also builds responsibility. Staying informed and proactive is key.

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION

Indication

Natroba™ (Spinosad) Topical Suspension is a pediculicide indicated for the topical treatment of head lice infestations in adult and pediatric patients six (6) months of age and older.

Warnings and Precautions

Natroba™ (Spinosad) Topical Suspension contains benzyl alcohol and is not recommended for use in neonates and infants below the age of 6 months. Intravenous administration of benzyl alcohol has been associated with serious adverse reactions and death in neonates and low birth-weight infants.

Adjunctive Measures

Natroba™ (Spinosad) Topical Suspension should be used in the context of an overall lice management program:

• Wash in hot water or dry-clean all recently worn clothing, hats, used bedding, and towels.
• Wash personal care items such as combs, brushes, and hair clips in hot water.
• A fine-tooth comb or special nit comb may be used to remove dead lice and nits.

Adverse Events

The most common adverse events (occurring in ?1% of subjects) for head lice treatment were application site redness (3%), eye redness (2%), and application site irritation (1%). Use Natroba™ (Spinosad) only on dry scalp and dry hair. Repeat treatment only if live lice are seen 7 days after the first treatment. See full Prescribing Information and Patient Information.

You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit www.fda.gov/medwatch or call 1-800-FDA-1088. You may also contact Cipher Pharmaceuticals US LLC at 1-855-628-7622.

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References

1. Natroba (spinosad) topical suspension, 0.9% [prescribing information]. Cipher Pharmaceuticals US LLC; 2025.
2. Stough D, Shellabarger S, Quiring J, Gabrielsen AA. Efficacy and safety of spinosad and permethrin creme rinses for pediculosis capitis (head lice). Pediatrics. 2009;124(3):e389-e395.
3. Gellatly KJ, Krim S, Palenchar DJ, et al. Expansion of the knockdown resistance frequency map for human head lice (Phthiraptera: Pediculidae) in the United States using quantitative sequencing. J Med Entomol. 2016.
4. Data on file. Cipher Pharmaceuticals US LLC.
5. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Clinical Care of Head Lice. Updated January 31, 2025.