Headlice are a very common problem and one that many children, especially those of school age, will inevitably experience at one time or another. There are a multitude of treatments currently available on the market but whatever approach is taken they can still be a persistent and recurring nuisance for many children.

Headlice live for approximately three weeks with the female laying up to six eggs a day, which she will then attach to the hair near the scalp. The eggs usually hatch within eight days of being laid and after seven to fourteen days become mature and ready to reproduce. Unhatched eggs are called nits and are a yellow-white colour and can often be mistaken for flakes of dry skin or dandruff but unlike dandruff nits stick to the hair and are much more difficult to remove. The headlice is a parasite that feeds by sucking blood through the skin.

A child with an infestation will normally have at least ten adult headlice on their scalp at any one time, although in some cases it can be considerably more.

For some reason girls seem to be more prone to headlice than boys and research suggests that this is due to the simple fact that girls are more likely to put their heads together when they are playing or working together than boys.

The main symptom of headlice is an itchy scalp that is often more intense behind the childs ears, and sometimes the neck, other symptoms may include a rash on the back of the childs neck that will be red and irritable. It is however, possible for a child to have headlice for several months before any itchiness occurs and in some cases a child with headlice may experience absolutely no itching at all. Another tell tale sign of headlice are louse droppings which look like fine black powder that will be clearly visible on a pillow or sheet.

Headlice are difficult to spot by eye on the hair but can be removed and then identified by combing them out. The hair should be combed in sections using either a very fine toothed comb or, more preferably, a special ‘ nit’ comb available from most pharmacists and supermarkets.

The hair will normally be easier to comb if it is wet, another method is to apply a few teaspoons of olive oil or hair conditioner to the hair remembering to rinse thoroughly after combing.

It is important to comb the entire length of the hair from root to tip and after each stroke the comb should be checked for lice. It can sometimes help to comb the hair over a piece of white paper or tissue which can also then be checked for lice.

Combing is the cheapest method of headlice prevention and cure but is also the method that requires the most routine as it must be done regularly and routinely (at least every four days over a two week period to ensure newly hatched lice are removed before they get a chance to lay further eggs).  

There are many insecticides available for the treatment of headlice that are available over the counter at most pharmacists as well as some that are available only on prescription (your local GP or pharmacist will be able to advise you further on these products).

Insecticides are available in lotions, liquids and cream rinses but should be avoided by those that are pregnant or breastfeeding and should not be used on children aged two or under.There are also a number of shampoos available but many experts consider these to be dramatically less affective.

Acohol based lotions are generally considered to be the best treatment for headlice but these are not suitable for everyone and should be avoided by people with severe eczema or asthma.

Liquid or cream rinses are water based and are the best for young children.

Sometimes after a treatment has run its course you may still find eggs but this doesn’t necessarily mean the treatment has failed as you may just be finding hatched egg cases and if a live adult louse is found this can often be re-infestation rather than the previous treatment failing.

To greatly minimize head lice spreading to other people, and to prevent your child, or you for that matter, getting them again after treatment, it is essential to let everyone you or your child has been in contact with know immediately about their possible exposure so that they can be checked and begin a treatment themselves if necessary. This should include, where relevant, informing the school, nursery and other family members who have been in contact with you or your child.

It is not necessary to delouse or destroy bed linen, towels or head wear as headlice do not survive away from the scalp and can’t, as myth insists, jump, fly or swim, and can only be passed onto another person through close, head to head contact.