A HEAD lice infestation has hit Gold Coast and Tweed schools, with parents warned to regularly check their children's hair to prevent infection.

Kristen Semmens, owner of Nitpro Head Lice Treatment Salons at Robina and Terranora, said her business had seen a sharp rise in both the number of children and adults suffering from head lice.

“There has been an increase in the number of people with head lice in the last six weeks. We treat hundreds of people for head lice,” she said.

“Some cases we have seen have been very severe. We have had children come in over the last few weeks with bleeding sores on their scalps from excessive scratching, and the bacteria from the infection gets caught under their fingernails.

“In some cases it has taken us more than eight hours to remove the head lice from a child's head.”

Ms Semmens said while the head lice do not cause infection, an ongoing infestation could cause more health problems.

“We have children come in that have been referred to us by their doctor because their scalp is infected from head lice,” Ms Semmens said.

“Head lice do not carry disease, the infection occurs from excessive scratching when the head lice are not treated.”

In order to combat the increase in head lice Ms Semmens said her salon offers free checks with no obligation to undergo a treatment.

Fingal Head Public School principal Matthew Jacobson agreed head lice had become a more serious problem this year.

“After the students come back from holidays head lice will become an epidemic as time goes on unless they are treated,” Mr Jacobson said.

“Head lice are definitely worse this year than last year, even the P&C feels it has become a problem and they have brought it up at their meetings.”

Gold Coast and Tweed schools have been notifying parents of the head lice problem through school newsletters.

The April 14 Burleigh Heads State School news- letter instructed parents to check their children's hair over the Easter holidays.

“Head lice are alive and well, not only in our school but also in childcare centres, secondary schools, workplaces, retirement villages and nursing homes,” the newsletter stated.

“On Friday 6th April please check all children in the family and commence an effective treatment if lice or eggs are found in the hair. An ongoing and regular approach must be utilised if the infestations are to be overcome.”

According to the NSW Health Department Nitbusters program more than 23% of primary school aged children have head lice and the number is increasing.