Yes—babies can get head lice, and gentle wet-combing is the first step before age-based medicines.
New parents ask this all the time: can a baby get lice? The short answer is yes, though it’s less common in infants than in toddlers and school-age kids. The good news: head lice don’t spread disease, and with a simple plan you can clear them safely.
Can Babies Get Head Lice: What It Looks Like
Head lice live on the scalp and feed on tiny amounts of blood. They don’t hop or fly. They crawl. On a baby, you’re more likely to spot eggs (nits) stuck to hair shafts than see a live louse on the move. Nits cling close to the scalp—often behind the ears and at the nape. They’re oval, yellow-white, and hard to slide off the hair. Dandruff flakes away with a light brush; nits don’t.
Early Signs You’ll Notice
- Frequent scratching or rubbing of the head
- Fussiness, sleep interruptions, or tugging at hair
- Tiny red bite marks from scratching
- Nits within a quarter-inch of the scalp
Fast Facts Table For Quick Checks
| Topic | Quick Facts |
|---|---|
| Can infants get lice? | Yes—anyone with hair can host head lice. |
| How lice spread | Mostly by head-to-head contact; not from pets. |
| Where to look first | Behind ears, nape of neck, crown. |
| What nits look like | Oval, firmly attached, yellow-white shells on hair. |
| First-line action | Wet-combing with a fine louse comb. |
| House cleanup | Wash/dry items used in the prior 2 days; no sprays. |
| When medicines fit | Match the product to the child’s age; see age table below. |
Can A Baby Get Lice? Signs, Risks, And Next Steps
The phrase can a baby get lice pops up because parents want a plan that’s both safe and effective. Start with a calm scalp check in bright light. Use a fine-toothed louse comb on wet, conditioned hair. Section the hair and comb from scalp to tips, wiping the comb on a white paper towel after each pass to check for specks and moving insects.
Step-By-Step Wet-Combing
- Wash hair and apply a generous amount of plain conditioner.
- Use a metal louse comb. Place the comb flat against the scalp and pull to the ends.
- Work in small sections. Wipe the comb after each stroke and inspect the debris.
- Repeat every 3–4 days for two weeks, until no live lice are found across several sessions.
Wet-combing is gentle, budget-friendly, and safe at any age. Many families clear an early infestation this way without needing medication.
How Babies Catch Lice In The First Place
Babies usually pick up lice from close contact with an older sibling or a caregiver with an active infestation. Hats, combs, and bedding are lower-risk routes, but they can carry stray hairs with nits. Focus on the hair-to-hair route first—screen the whole household and treat anyone with live lice.
Smart Home Hygiene (No Harsh Sprays)
- Machine-wash towels, hats, and pillowcases used in the prior 48 hours on hot cycles; high-heat dry.
- Items that can’t be washed? Seal in a bag for two weeks.
- Soak combs and brushes in hot water (at least 130°F/54°C) for 5–10 minutes.
- Skip fumigant sprays—they’re unnecessary and add chemical exposure without benefit.
Age-Safe Treatments For Infants And Toddlers
Many over-the-counter and prescription products work well in older kids, but age matters. Match any medicine to the minimum approved age, and keep doses and timing exactly as labeled. If your baby is under 2 months, stick with wet-combing only and speak with your pediatrician before using any product.
When Medicines Are Considered
After careful combing, some families still see crawling lice. At that point, age-based medicines can help:
| Treatment | Minimum Age | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Wet-combing | Any age | Repeat every 3–4 days for two weeks. |
| Permethrin 1% lotion (OTC) | 2 months+ | Kills live lice; repeat on day 9–10 if needed. |
| Pyrethrins + piperonyl butoxide (OTC) | 2 years+ | Allergy caution with ragweed/chrysanthemum. |
| Ivermectin 0.5% lotion (OTC/Rx) | 6 months+ | Single application; nit combing not required. |
| Spinosad 0.9% suspension (Rx) | 6 months+ | Kills live lice and many eggs; usually no retreat. |
| Benzyl alcohol 5% lotion (Rx) | 6 months+ | Kills lice, not eggs; retreat at 7 days. |
| Malathion 0.5% lotion (Rx) | 6 years+ | Flammable; follow label closely. |
Safe Use Basics
- Use one product at a time and follow the exact timing on the label.
- Rinse over a sink with warm water to limit skin exposure.
- Protect eyes; if product gets in the eyes, flush right away.
- Don’t re-treat more than 2–3 times with the same product if it isn’t working—switch products with your pediatrician’s guidance.
How To Tell If Treatment Worked
No crawlers after treatment and over several follow-up combs is the goal. Nits can stay glued to hair even after successful treatment; that doesn’t always mean active lice. Focus on finding (or not finding) live insects. If you still spot crawlers two days after a full course, or new ones appear a week later, plan a repeat dose or a different product based on age.
Prevention Tips For Babies And Siblings
- Keep longer hair tied during playdates.
- Teach older kids to avoid head-to-head contact during games and photos.
- Don’t share brushes, combs, hats, or hair accessories.
- Do a quick louse-comb sweep on wash days when classmates have outbreaks.
When To Call The Pediatrician
Reach out if your baby is under 2 months old, if you see signs of skin infection from scratching (pus, swelling, spreading redness), or if two well-done treatment rounds still show live lice. Let your pediatrician guide product choice when a child has asthma, eczema, or known allergies to plant-based ingredients.
What Not To Do
- Skip petrol products, mayonnaise, or essential-oil recipes—these haven’t shown clear benefit and can irritate baby skin.
- No kerosene, gasoline, or pet products—these are dangerous.
- Don’t use hair dryers or heat tools with flammable lotions.
- No pesticide sprays in rooms or on furniture.
Sample 10-Day Action Plan
This baby-friendly plan keeps things simple and safe:
- Day 0: Confirm live lice. Start wet-combing. Wash recent linens and hats; soak combs/brushes.
- Day 1–2: Re-check with the comb. If crawlers persist and your child is old enough, choose an age-appropriate product and follow the label.
- Day 3–4: Comb again. Screen siblings and caregivers.
- Day 7: If you used a product that doesn’t kill eggs, plan the label’s retreat day.
- Day 9–10: Final comb sessions. No crawlers across multiple sessions means you’re clear.
Clear Answers To Common Worries
“Does this mean our home isn’t clean?”
No. Lice show up in clean and dirty hair alike. It’s about contact, not hygiene.
“Do we need to deep-clean the whole house?”
No marathon cleaning. Target only items used in the prior two days, wash on hot cycles, and skip sprays.
“Do we shave the baby’s head?”
No. A careful wet-comb routine works without drastic haircuts.
Why This Works
Head lice need scalp warmth and regular blood meals. Nits hatch in about a week. That’s why comb schedules and retreat windows are timed around day 7–10. Matching the product to the child’s age covers safety, while combing catches survivors and stragglers. Put together, the plan breaks the life cycle and keeps the home calm.
Helpful References For Parents
For product ages, safety notes, and return-to-school guidance, see trusted health pages. Read the CDC’s clinical care overview for head lice age cutoffs and retreat timing, and AAP’s parent guide for practical tips. Link these in your notes so you can pull them up during the next outbreak season.