Lice treatment available online today

In order to treat your lice, consult with one of our board-certified doctors online today to get a prescription to get rid of lice and alleviate itching. Get a new prescription to treat lice or refill an existing prescription today.*

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Ease itching and irritability

Quick and effective lice diagnosis

Manage lice concerns conveniently from anywhere

*Prescriptions are provided at the doctor's discretion. Learn more about our controlled substances policy and how to save up to 80% with our prescription discount card. PlushCare doctors cannot treat all cases of lice. Our primary care physicians can conduct an initial evaluation of your symptoms but may need to refer you to a specialist or for in-person treatment. If you are experiencing life-threatening symptoms, seek emergency medical attention immediately.

Learn about lice

Head lice are tiny, wingless, blood-sucking insects. A louse (single adult) is roughly the size of a sesame seed, while a nit (louse egg) can be as small as a flake of dandruff.

Lice usually spread through direct transfer from the hair of one person to the hair of another. Contrary to popular belief, lice aren't a sign of poor personal hygiene or uncleanliness. Lice treatments and hair products can help treat head lice and prevent infestations from spreading.

Lice causes

  • Head lice are highly contagious, and you can quickly develop a lice infestation if the insects crawl onto your head. Lice can spread through:

    • Close contact (head-to-head contact) with someone who has lice

    • Sharing personal items, such as hair brushes, with someone who has lice

    • Using fabric items, such as hats or clothing, after someone with head lice


    Head lice move by crawling, and they cannot hop or fly. Anyone who comes into head-to-head contact with another person who already has lice is at the greatest risk. Poor personal hygiene and uncleanliness do not increase a person's risk of getting head lice.

Lice symptoms

  • The most common symptom of lice is itching, especially around the back of your head and neck—areas where lice are more likely to live. You might also experience:

    • A tickling feeling or sensation that something is moving in your hair

    • Irritability and difficulty sleeping since head lice are most active in the dark

    • Small red bumps on your head, neck, ears, and shoulders

    • Sores on your head due to excessive itching


    Sometimes, head sores can become infected due to the bacteria found on your skin. Avoid scratching as much as possible and keep an eye on your symptoms. Swollen lymph nodes, tender skin, and crusting may indicate a skin infection.

How to treat lice

Several treatment options are available for head lice. Most treatments only need to be used twice. The second treatment, which usually comes a week after the first treatment, helps kill any newly hatched nits.

Effective treatments for head lice include:

  • Medication: Both over-the-counter and medicated hair treatments can help kill lice. To avoid potential side effects, avoid using more than one medication to treat head lice. In addition, make sure to use your medication as directed.

  • Manual removal: If you want to avoid pesticides, you can use a fine-toothed comb to remove lice manually. Apply olive oil to your hair before combing to pick up more lice and nits.

Lice medications

  • Both over-the-counter and prescription drugs can help treat head lice. Over-the-counter lice treatment typically includes two types of chemicals: pyrethrin and permethrin.

    In some areas, lice have developed resistance to OTC medications. If you still have lice after applying an OTC treatment you may be prescribed:

    Lindane (Kwell)

    Spinosad (Natroba)

    Malathion (Ovide)

    Ivermectin (Sklice)

    Benzyl alcohol (Ulesfia)

How to prevent lice

To prevent head lice from spreading, you should:

  • Avoid sharing combs, scarves, hats, and hair brushes with other people

  • Avoid lying on beds, couches, or pillows that have been used with someone who has lice

  • Avoid direct head-to-head contact with someone who has lice

When to see a doctor for lice

Talk to your doctor if over-the-counter medicines don't work with proper use or if you notice any symptoms of an infection. Common symptoms of an infection include:

  • Fever

  • Head sores that ooze or crust

  • Pain or tenderness on your head

  • Redness or swelling on your scalp

Lice treatment FAQs

  • What are the symptoms of lice?

    The primary symptom of lice is an itchy scalp. You may also experience:

    • A tickling sensation or the feeling of something moving through your hair

    • Irritability or difficulty sleeping

    • Small red bumps on your head, ears, neck, and shoulders

    • Head sores from excessive itching

    You might also notice lice or lice eggs (nits) on your hair shaft. Although lice can resemble dandruff, they aren't easily brushed out of the hair.

  • How did I get lice?

    In most cases, lice are spread through contact with someone who has lice. This can happen through direct head-to-head contact or by sharing personal items, such as hair brushes or hats.

    After coming into contact with lice or lice eggs, lice can crawl onto your hair and lay eggs. Lice cannot hop or fly.

  • How do you get rid of lice?

    Eliminating lice involves three steps:

    1. Kill the lice using an over-the-counter or prescription treatment.

    2. Clean your home to lower your risk of another infestation. Make sure to wash bed sheets in hot water, vacuum any carpets, and seal objects you can't easily wash (like knit hats) in a plastic bag for two weeks.

    3. A week after your first treatment, apply a second lice treatment to get rid of any eggs.


    If you still notice lice symptoms after applying an over-the-counter treatment, contact your doctor. If needed, your doctor can prescribe prescription-strength lice treatment online in the form of medicated shampoos or lotions.

  • How do I avoid lice?

    The best way to avoid lice is by avoiding direct contact with other people who have lice.

    Lice are common in school-age children, and it's not always possible to prevent lice. However, you can teach your kids to practice the following preventive measures:

    • Don't share personal belongings, such as clothes or hats.

    • When possible, hang clothes, hats, and scarves on separate hooks.

    • Avoid head-to-head contact with other people (in gym class, on the playground, or during sports).

  • What's the best prescription lice shampoo?

    The best prescription lice shampoo is Lindane (Kwell), an organochloride pesticide. Lindane helps to treat scabies and lice by killing lice and mites.

  • How to get a prescription for lice?

    To get a prescription for lice, book an appointment with one of our licensed doctors. During your phone or video consultation, your doctor will ask about your symptoms and medical history. If your doctor determines that you have lice, they can electronically send a lice treatment prescription to your local pharmacy.

  • Is there prescription-strength lice treatment?

    Yes, prescription-strength lice treatment typically involves different chemicals than over-the-counter treatment. If OTC remedies aren’t working, talk to your physician about prescription-strength treatment.

  • What are the best prescription medications for head lice treatment?

    The best prescription lice treatments include the following shampoos and lotions:

    • Lindane (Kwell)

    • Spinosad (Natroba)

    • Malathion (Ovide)

    • Ivermectin (Sklice)

    • Benzyl alcohol (Ulesfia)

3 simple steps to get treated for lice today

Step 1: Book an appointment

Step 1

Book a lice treatment appointment.

Book a same day appointment from anywhere.

Step 2: Visit with a doctor on your smartphone

Step 2

Talk to your medical provider regarding your lice symptoms.

Visit with a doctor on your smartphone or computer.

Step 3

Pick up a prescription for lice.

We can send prescriptions to any local pharmacy.

Related conditions to lice

Lice treatment pricing details

How pricing works

To request Lice treatment and get a new prescription or refill on your prescription, join our monthly membership and get discounted visits.

Paying with insurance

Membership

$16.99/month

First month free

Visits

Copay

30 days of free membership

  • Same-day appointments 7 days a week

  • Unlimited messages with your Care Team

  • Prescription discount card to save up to 80%

  • Exclusive discounts on lab tests

  • Free memberships for your family

  • Cancel anytime

Visit price with insurance

Often the same as an office visit. Most patients with in-network insurance pay $30 or less!

  • We accept these insurance plans and many more:

    • Humana
    • Aetna
    • United Healthcare

Paying without insurance

Membership

$16.99/month

First month free

Visits

$129

30 days of free membership

  • Same-day appointments 7 days a week

  • Unlimited messages with your Care Team

  • Prescription discount card to save up to 80%

  • Exclusive discounts on lab tests

  • Free memberships for your family

  • Cancel anytime

Visit price without insurance

Initial visits are $129.

Book an appointment

If we're unable to treat you, we'll provide a full refund.

Lice treatment resources:

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PlushCare content is reviewed by MDs, PhDs, NPs, nutritionists, and other healthcare professionals. Learn more about our editorial standards and meet the medical team. The PlushCare site or any linked materials are not intended and should not be construed as medical advice, nor is the information a substitute for professional medical expertise or treatment.