Head Lice (Pediculosis)
Takes 2 minutes · No clinic visit · Delivered to your door
Head lice are tiny insects that live on the scalp and hair, causing itching and, for many families, a stressful scramble to treat them fast. They’re extremely common, especially among school-age kids, and can be assessed confidentially without an in-person exam.
Could It Be Head Lice?
- Intense itching of the scalp, especially behind the ears and at the back of the neck
- Small, tan or greyish-white insects visible in the hair, often hard to spot since they move fast
- Tiny white or yellowish eggs (nits) firmly attached to hair shafts close to the scalp
- A tickling or crawling feeling in the hair
- Sores or crusting on the scalp from scratching
- Symptoms appearing in more than one member of a household or a child’s close contacts (classmates, playmates)
Treatment
- Topical pediculicides (permethrin, pyrethrins with piperonyl butoxide) to kill lice and eggs
- Non-pesticide options (dimeticone, cyclomethicone, isopropyl myristate) that work by coating and suffocating lice — an alternative for resistant lice or families who prefer a non-neurotoxic option
- Guidance on proper application and timing, including a repeat treatment about 7–9 days later to catch newly hatched lice
- Advice on nit-combing, cleaning bedding and personal items, and checking other household members
- Ontario pharmacists can assess and prescribe directly for uncomplicated head lice
How it works
Three steps to feeling better.
- Share your symptoms
Complete a short, secure assessment about what you’re experiencing — on your time, from anywhere.
- Pharmacist reviews and prescribes
A licensed Ontario pharmacist reviews your assessment and prescribes appropriate treatment when indicated.
- Treatment ships free
Your prescription is dispensed and delivered to your door in discreet packaging — no extra charge.
Why Rumini
Built for moments like this.
When you need help quickly and privately, these are the things that matter most.
Complete discretion
Your assessment, your prescription, and your delivery are handled with full privacy — PHIPA compliant at every step.
Fast from start to door
Start now, get your assessment reviewed quickly, and receive your medication with free same-province delivery.
Support when you need it
Our care team is available 7 days a week. Questions before, during, or after treatment — we’re here.
No clinic visit required
Ontario pharmacists are authorized to prescribe for uncomplicated UTIs. Skip the waiting room entirely.
Trust and credentials
A licensed Ontario Pharmacy.
Rumini operates under the full oversight of Ontario's regulatory framework for pharmacy practice.
OCP registration
#311091
Role
Pharmacist of Record
Location
45–2355 Derry Rd E, Mississauga, ON
Privacy standard
PHIPA compliant
Frequently Asked Questions.
What causes head lice?
Head lice spread through direct head-to-head contact, and occasionally by sharing items like hats, brushes, or pillows. They don’t jump or fly, and having lice isn’t a sign of poor hygiene — it’s simply a matter of close contact with someone who has them.
How is head lice treated?
A topical treatment applied to the scalp and hair, followed by a repeat treatment about a week later to catch lice that hatch after the first dose. Thorough nit-combing helps remove eggs and speeds up the process. Ontario’s minor ailments program allows pharmacists to assess and prescribe directly for uncomplicated cases.
How long until symptoms improve?
Live lice are typically killed within the first treatment, though itching can linger for a short time afterward as a reaction to old bites, even after the lice are gone. The second treatment about a week later is essential to fully clear the infestation.
Why do I need a second treatment?
Most treatments kill lice but not all eggs. A second application 7 to 9 days later kills any lice that hatched after the first treatment, before they can lay new eggs — skipping it is the most common reason lice come back.
Can my child go to school with head lice?
Many public health guidelines in Ontario no longer require a “no-nit” policy for school exclusion, but school and daycare rules can vary — check with your child’s school for their specific policy while you complete treatment.
When should I seek in-person care instead?
Seek in-person care for a scalp that looks infected (increasing redness, warmth, pus, swollen lymph nodes), lice that persist despite two complete rounds of treatment done correctly, or an infant under 2 years old with head lice.