Preventing a head lice infection is difficult as lice are spread by head-to-head contact. Weekly detection combing helps to ensure that new lice are found quickly. Head lice treatments are not effective in preventing infections and should only be applied if a live louse is found in the hair.

Washing clothing and bed linen on a high temperature setting (at least 50^oC) will kill any living lice. However, lice that fall off the head are unlikely to survive for longer than 24 hours.

Hedrin Protect & Go helps to prevent infections by disrupting the life cycle of head lice before an infection can become established. This can be applied regularly as part of a child's hair hygiene routine or during periods when head lice are prevalent, such as the start of a new school term, or before parties and sleepovers.

Many schools take part in Bug Busting Days to help inform parents and children about the behaviour of head lice, and how to detect and remove them. For more information, see: Community Hygiene Concern.