The most common reason kids have symptoms of lice a second (or third) time is that they’ve been reexposed to lice. They have come into contact with someone who has lice at school, at home, or anywhere else they are around other kids.

There are other reasons why kids might get lice…again.

Most of the reasons kids get head lice a second time are the same reasons they got them the first time, but there are a few reasons symptoms may return.

The main reasons kids get lice – one or more times, include:

  • Re-exposure: One of the more common ways children get repeated lice infestations is by having close contact with other children. At school, day care, or when playing with other kids. If one child has They have been around another child who has lice, used their brush or comb, or borrowed a hat or other clothes that have lice or their nits on them.
  • Not removing all lice and nits: Another common reason kids have lice that come back is that they already had lice, and during the treatment process, some nits were missed. Once those nits mature, the adult lice reproduce, and the lice life cycle continues. Many treatments do not kill nots, so you must retreat in 9 or 10 days. If you miss even a few nits during treatment, those nits will hatch, and an infestation will begin again.
  • Your child may have lice that are resistant to the treatment you used. Some lice have developed a resistance to some lice treatments. This means they will not be killed by the treatment, and your child may have symptoms again.
  • A case of lice in your family or close circle: If even one person has lice that are not caught, the entire family can get lice again.

If one or more kids in your family is getting lice repeatedly, see your child’s doctor or healthcare professional. There are prescription medications that will treat both lice and nits, unlike many over-the-counter treatment options.

Do Not Use Additional Lice Medication

Some medications used to treat lice can be harmful if overused. Speak with a doctor or healthcare professional before treating lice a second time to be sure it’s safe to use more medication to treat lice, even if it’s a different one than you used before.

When your kid has lice, be sure to comb out all the lice and nits, check every person in a household and treat everyone affected, and avoid sharing brushes, combs, and hats.

If your child keeps getting lice, there are things you can do, and your doctor can help.