Children's Common Problems - Head Lice and Nits

Head Lice - what are they?

Head lice are very small, light brown insects which live on the scalp of human beings, they don't live on animals.

Head Lice suck blood from the scalp. and lay eggs, called nits. Nits are a dull grey colour and stick to a single hair, close to the scalp. The eggs (nits) hatch in around 7 days and head lice are released. Two weeks later, the new head lice are fully grown, and start laying more eggs (nits).

The hard, small white egg which remain stuck to the hair are the hatched, empty eggs (nits), these can remain for some time.

Delaying treatment for head lice can result in hundreds of head lice and nits infesting the hair.


Nits - Live	Head Lice	Nits - empty

Head Lice - how do they spread?

Head Lice are very common and the situation is getting worse, especially in primary schools where one in ten children catch head lice every year.

Head Lice are passed from head to head - they don't jump or fly - they simply walk from one head to another. Head Lice aren't fussy either - long, short, clean or dirty hair - they can live on any type. They don't survive for long on any other surface though - pillows, hat, towels and scarves, so the only way to catch them is to have head to head contact with an infected person.

Head Lice - symptoms and cures

Itching and scratching - especially younger children. The head lice themselves are very difficult to see, as are the unhatched eggs. The white empty shells, though, can usually be seen and felt on the hair close to the scalp.

You can buy specialist lotions and shampoos to help eradicate head lice, but the easiest way is simply to use ordinary hair conditioner and a fine tooth 'nit' comb.

wash hair and apply plenty of conditioner - DONT WASH OUT
while hair is damp comb with a fine tooth 'nit' comb, paying particular
attention to the hair near the scalp
clean comb regularly during combing to remove any head lice or nits
repeat every 3 days for at least 2 week
check the rest of the family!!

The alternative way is to buy lotions or shampoos at your local pharmacy - some people believe, though, that these chemical based shampoos can be harmful to health - you should check with the chemist if you plan to use them on a baby under 6 months, pregnant women or anyone with asthma.

NEW - from The Alcohol Free Shop

Natural Neem Shampoo Soap which may help in the fight against head lice.

Made with neem oil, an Indian oil with insecticidal properties, and scented with cinnamon leaf and tea tree essential oils which have been shown to be effective against head lice. It's worth a try!

Alcohol Free Shop - Neem Soap - CLICK HERE

Further Head Lice and Nits Resources:

Patient.co.uk - as usual a comprehensive explanation leaflet for Head Lice

Net Doctor - head lice article by Dr Gillian Rice

Bug Busting - from Community Hygiene Concern - buy the kit to get rid of head lice and nits