Do Head Lice Go Away on Their Own?

While many people believe that head lice go away on their own, this is not always the case. This is because head lice are parasites that live on human blood and hair. During the infestation, the insects may stay on your child’s head for months without treatment. The best way to get rid of head lice is to use a home treatment for them.

You can use over-the-counter or prescription head lice medications to kill the lice. These medications contain pyrethrin or permethrin. These treatments should be applied to the scalp and to all hair on the head. However, you should make sure to follow the instructions and read product labels before using any of these products.

Head lice can be very tiny and hard to detect. They are gray or white in color and about the size of a sesame seed. The nits they lay are round specks that cling to your hair near the scalp. They are not visible to the naked eye but you can often find them by combing your hair.

If left untreated, head lice will multiply rapidly. A single louse can lay between six and ten eggs on the head every day. It takes about a week for the eggs to hatch. Adult head lice will usually die within a day after being removed.