Head Lice Treatment for Children & Whānau

Head lice are common, especially in school-aged children, and can spread easily through close contact. While they aren’t harmful, they can be uncomfortable and frustrating to deal with.

Your local pharmacy can provide assessment, advice, and treatment to help manage head lice effectively and prevent them spreading within your household.

Understanding head lice

What are head lice?

Head lice are tiny insects that live on the scalp and feed on small amounts of blood. They lay eggs (called nits) that attach to the hair near the scalp.

Head lice are easily spread through head-to-head contact, which is why they are common in children.

What are the signs of head lice?

Common signs include:

• An itchy scalp
• A crawling sensation in the hair
• Visible lice or eggs (nits) in the hair

Some children may not feel itchy, so lice can sometimes go unnoticed without close checking.

Why is treatment important?

While head lice don’t cause serious illness, treatment is important to:

• Stop the lice spreading to others
• Reduce itching and discomfort
• Prevent ongoing re-infestation within the household

Our pharmacy team can help confirm if lice are present and recommend the right treatment.

How we can help

At Pharmacy Now, our pharmacists can:

• Check for active head lice infestation
• Recommend effective treatment options
• Provide funded or subsidised treatment if eligible
• Show you how to use wet-combing techniques
• Give advice on treating the whole household and preventing reinfestation

Who can use this service

You may be eligible for funded head lice treatment through your pharmacy if:

• You have an approved health need, and
• You are eligible for publicly funded health services in New Zealand, and
• You are either:
  • Under 14 years old, or
  • A whānau member of a child under 14 years old who has the same approved health need

What to expect

Visiting Pharmacy Now is simple:

1. Speak with our pharmacist about your concerns
2. We can help confirm whether head lice are present
3. We’ll recommend treatment and explain how to use it
4. We’ll provide guidance to help prevent reinfestation

What does this service cost?

Many Extended Pharmacy Services are subsidised for eligible patients:

• If you have a Community Services Card (CSC), there may be a small charge of up to $5
• If you do not have a CSC, there may be a charge of up to $20

If you are not eligible for funding, you can still receive treatment - standard charges may apply.

Our team will always explain any costs upfront, so you can make an informed decision before proceeding.

Get help treating head lice today

If you think your child (or whānau) may have head lice, don’t wait - treatment is simple and support is close by.

Visit Pharmacy Now to speak with our friendly pharmacy team. We’ll help confirm if treatment is needed, check your eligibility for funded care, and guide you on the best next steps for your family.