Headlice
Head Lice overview
It is estimated that about one in five children have head lice at any given time so rest assured, if you think your offspring are infested, you are certainly not alone.
What are head lice?
Head lice are about 2-3 mm in length and have three pairs of pincer-like legs which they use to grip the hair shaft tightly. This of course means that they camouflage well.
As the most common of all human parasites, head lice can affect anyone regardless of social group, age, sex or level of cleanliness - in fact there is little head lice like more than a lovely head of clean hair!
How do you catch head lice?
Contrary to popular belief, head lice cannot fly or jump, they can only walk from one head to another across a bridge of hair, surrounded by warm air. This is why they are so prevalent among school children. The close proximity of say 30 or so children in a classroom, with no fear of personal boundaries, can mean parasitic infestations are a real, and recurring, problem for some.
How can I tell if head lice are lurking?
Itching and scratching of the scalp is one of the most obvious signs that your child has head lice, but not everyone has symptoms so it is worth checking the hair regularly, particularly if you know of friends or relatives who have infestations.
The best way to catch an infestation early is to check your child's hair on a weekly basis. In an ideal world the hair should be checked with a plastic detection comb while wet or damp, allowing a good 20 minutes to do a thorough look through. To facilitate this procedure, which let's face it, is unpleasant for all, you could add a dash of vinegar, lemon juice or lavender oil to the water beforehand. This really helps head lice to lose their grip. If you lean the child over a light coloured cloth and comb their hair in small sections from root to tip you'll soon see any live lice and eggs drop off.
Top tip:
If you find your child has an infestation, all members of the household should be checked for lice too. The best way to avoid a cycle of re-infestation is to check and treat everyone at the same time.
How do you treat head lice?
There are numerous treatments available in your local pharmacy. These range from insecticidal treatments (generally containing one of three active ingredients - malathion, permethrin and phenothrin) to electric combs, herbal shampoos, conditioners and non-insecticidal treatments such as neem oil.
There are pros and cons to each so it is worth talking to your local pharmacist - for example, there is a theory that head lice can become immune to certain ingredients so try to establish what has been working for other people in your area at the time of this particular infestation.
And finally…. Department of Health guidelines advise that there is no need to keep your children home from school during an infestation.
Did you know?
In the 1940s, the treatment of head lice involved compulsory de-lousing and a shaven head.
