Lice treatment
Lice are tiny insects that can spread quickly among children. They cause an intense itchy feeling that can disrupt sleep. A MinuteClinic® provider can evaluate you or your family if you think you may have lice and provide treatment.
Find care
Services are available at MinuteClinic (virtual care also available) and CVS Pharmacy®
Insurance and pricing
Most insurance accepted. Check your coverage or estimate the cost of your visit if you’re uninsured or prefer to pay out-of-pocket.
Looking for information about lice treatment? We have you covered.
What are lice?
Lice are tiny, parasitic insects that feed on the blood of humans and other animals.* The lice that affect other animals cannot spread to humans, but the lice that affect humans can easily spread from one person to another. They are most common among young children.
An intense, itchy, crawling feeling on the head may be a sign of lice. Head lice can only crawl; they cannot jump or fly.* This is why head-to-head contact is the most common way of spreading lice from one person to the next. Other ways to spread lice include sharing the following items:
- Coats
- Combs and hairbrushes
- Hats
- Pillows
- Scarves
- Towels
There are three kinds of lice that can affect humans. Head lice are the most common. They cause itching of the scalp (top of the head). The other kinds of lice are body lice, which affect the body only, and pubic lice, which affect only the groin area. All three types of lice are spread by human-to-human contact or by contact with infested items like towels or combs.
It’s a myth that only “dirty people” get lice. Lice affect millions of people each year regardless of income, age or gender. While regular shampooing and bathing can reduce the chances of getting lice, these methods aren’t a perfect defense against lice.
What symptoms can occur with lice?
The most obvious symptom of lice is intense itching, which is sometimes bad enough to interfere with sleep. Other symptoms include the following:
- A crawling sensation
- Seeing light-brown bugs that look like sesame seeds
- Seeing brown, gray, tan, white or yellow eggs the size of a pinhead
- Swollen lymph nodes, especially in the neck
It can take a few weeks after getting lice before you start to itch. This means it’s possible to have lice without having any itching or irritation. As a result, schools do periodic checks for lice, and entire families are treated even when only a single person has symptoms of lice. Children are especially susceptible to lice, due to close contact with peers in places like school and camp.
Getting help
A MinuteClinic provider can assess your symptoms and examine you. They can develop a treatment plan and prescribe any necessary medication.
- You may have to answer a few questions to help us prepare for your visit prior to scheduling your appointment:
Check-in varies depending on how you scheduled your appointment:
If you made your appointment online:
Check in using the email or text message we sent to confirm your appointment. If you prefer to check in using the electronic kiosk, make sure you have your confirmation code.If you made your appointment in the clinic:
Sign in at the electronic kiosk.If you made a MinuteClinic Virtual Care® appointment:
To join your virtual visit, use the link in the email or text message we sent you to confirm your appointment. Please join 15 minutes before your scheduled visit time. You will need your date of birth and zip code to join the visit.- When it's time for your appointment, a provider will call your name.
- Your provider will conduct a thorough examination based on your reason for visit, presenting symptoms and health history. Charges will be based on examination and services provided during the visit.
- At the end of your visit, you are provided with a visit summary, receipt and educational material about your diagnosis. At your request, we can send your primary care provider information about your visit.
Frequently asked questions
Always speak with a health care provider before applying any topical medication. Many products labeled as “natural” have not been proven to kill or prevent lice.*
Most lice treatments are applied on the skin and hair and may require two applications, spaced about a week apart.* This ensures any lice that hatch after the first treatment are killed in the second treatment. In rare cases, lice may be resistant to standard treatments, and prescription-strength medications may be required. Your provider will help make the right decision for you.
Your MinuteClinic® provider can also offer solutions to help ensure lice don’t remain in bedding or other areas of your home. It takes two weeks for lice to die naturally, so it’s often helpful to do some washing and drying to prevent them from coming back. Wash items in water that is at least 130 degrees Fahrenheit and use the hot cycle when drying.
A MinuteClinic provider can diagnose lice by looking for the insects or their eggs in the hair or on the skin. They’ll use a bright light with a dark-colored comb. In some cases, wetting the hair makes it easier to spot the lice.
IMPORTANT! PLEASE READ: This material is for reference only and should not be used to determine treatment for specific medical conditions. Please visit a health care provider for evaluation, diagnosis and treatment of any symptoms you may be experiencing. If you're experiencing a medical emergency, please dial 911 or visit your local emergency department.
REFERENCES USED AS SOURCES FOR THIS PAGE:
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*FOR LICE ARE PARASITIC INSECTS SOURCE: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. About body lice. Accessed March 7, 2025.
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*FOR LICE TREATMENT SOURCE: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Treatment of head lice. Accessed March 7, 2025.
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*FOR PRODUCTS LABELED AS “NATURAL” SOURCE: American Academy of Dermatology Association. How to get rid of lice when treatment fails. Accessed March 7, 2025.
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*FOR HEAD LICE CAN ONLY CRAWL SOURCE: Medline Plus. Body lice. National Library of Medicine. Accessed March 7, 2025.