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Head lice are rarely a serious problem, but they can be irritating. And if you don't get rid of head lice, they can spread to other people.

If you leave head lice untreated, the problem will get worse as the head lice breed in your hair. You will probably be bothered by itching and bites. You could also get an infection from the bites, but this is rare. (To learn more, see What are the symptoms of head lice?)

Head lice will not clear up on their own, so you shouldn't ignore them. You should make sure they are treated right away. To learn about treatments, see What treatments work for head lice?

Here are some other things you can do if you discover head lice in your household.

• Don't be alarmed. Head lice are very common.
• Tell people you or your child has close contact with, even if you find this difficult. They can then check and, if necessary, treat their hair or their children's hair. Head lice spread easily in families and schools. Telling people that you or your child has head lice is for your benefit as well as theirs. If you don't do it, the head lice will spread in your community and you or your child might catch them again.
• If your child has head lice, tell his or her teacher. The teacher can then advise other parents to check their children's hair and treat them if necessary.
• Check your children 's hair regularly for head lice, using a special fine-toothed comb. It's much easier to get rid of head lice before they've had a chance to multiply.
• For everyday purposes, use a fine-toothed comb rather than a brush on your child's hair. Combs are better at pulling out head lice, so you will be able to detect them more quickly.

This information is for educational use only, and is not a substitute for prompt professional medical advice. Readers should always consult a physician or other professional for advice and treatment. ©BMJ Publishing Group Limited 2008. All rights reserved.