Some people will develop a secondary skin infection from scratching. Antihistamines can help relieve the itching.

Lice are usually killed with proper treatment. However, lice may come back, especially if the source is not corrected. For example, a classroom with many infected children can cause kids to repeatedly get lice. When one case is detected in a family or a school or child-care center, every child at that location should be examined for head lice. This can help prevent further spreading.