Head lice are common in children (particularly between the ages of 3 and 11 years) and have nothing to do with personal hygiene or cleanliness. While head lice don’t carry disease, their bites can cause itching and skin irritation. To reduce your child’s risk of getting head lice you can ensure long hair is tied up, discourage the sharing of brushes and combs, and minimise head-to-head contact with others. Remember, anyone can get head lice. These critters have no preferences for hair colour or type, age or ethnicity. Check out this fact sheet External link for more information