Head lice
Found live lice, or think you might have them? Check whether treatment is needed — itch or nits alone don't always mean active lice. If lice are confirmed, a clinician can recommend treatment.
- No appointment or video call
- NZ clinician reviewed
- Pay only if approved
What to expect
Talk to Quinn, our AI assistant. A NZ clinician reviews your history and decides your care.
- If live lice are confirmed, the clinician can explain which treatment to use and how to use it
- If lice have not been seen, the clinician can explain how to check wet hair carefully first
- A clear photo showing the current scalp or identified lice is required before this consultation can be submitted
- An infected scalp may need in-person review; if lice are not yet confirmed you get combing advice first
Is this service right for me?
Start an online assessment if…
- Live lice have been confirmed and the scalp is otherwise healthy
- You can explain treatments already tried and whether close contacts have been checked
Use another service first if…
- Broken, weeping, crusted or infected scalp skin
- Live lice persisting after two correctly used courses
When to get care sooner
Some symptoms need urgent or in-person care.
Seek in-person review if you…
- notice the scalp becomes broken, weeping, crusted, or shows signs of infection
- still have lice after two correctly applied courses
About head lice
Head lice are small insects that live in scalp hair. They commonly spread between children through schools, kindergartens and other close contacts. An itchy scalp or nits (old egg cases) alone don't prove an active infestation. Treatment is only needed once live, moving lice are actually found.
- Live lice found by careful wet or detection combing
- Scalp itch or visible eggs together with confirmed live insects
How your online consultation works
No appointment or video call to book. See the current clinician review time before you start.
- Tell QuinnDescribe your concern in your own words. Quinn, our AI assistant, gathers the information for your clinician.
- Clinician reviewA registered NZ clinician reviews your history and decides your care. They may ask for more detail.
- Receive your careApproved documents are saved in My care. Any prescription goes to your chosen pharmacy.
Keep your usual GP. You choose whether to share your approved consultation summary with your usual practice.
What we’ll ask about
Answer naturally. Quinn follows up on what matters to your situation, using these topics for the assessment.
- Whether live lice were seen and how the hair was checked
- Scalp soreness, broken skin, crusting, spreading redness or illness
- Age, household spread and treatments already tried
Frequently asked questions
Does everyone in the family need treatment?
Only household members and close contacts found to have live lice themselves need treating. Treating everyone regardless isn't recommended.
How does wet combing help find lice?
Conditioner temporarily stuns the lice for about 20 minutes. That makes it easier to comb them out from root to tip before they can move away.
Fees and practical details
Your consultation fee is shown before submission. Your card is charged only if care is approved; medicine and pharmacy costs are separate.