MANY of us will remember being searched with a ‘nit’ comb in our younger years - but even adults can become infested with the contagious critters.
Here's everything you need to know about head lice, including the best treatment options to get rid of them.
What are head lice?
Typically, they grow up to 3mm long, making them are difficult to spot.
They can cause an itchy scalp and general discomfort as the parasites live by feeding on human blood.
Nits are particularly common in school children aged between 4-11.
But it isn’t just kids that can suffer with the itchy critters as researchers recently revealed an explosion of head lice infestations in centrally-heated, draught-free homes across the UK.
Even though head lice are largely harmless, they can live in the hair for a long time if not treated and can frustrating to deal with.
What do head lice look like?
The lice themselves tend to be very small and a whitish or grey-brown colour.
They can range in size and anywhere between the size of a pinhead to that of a sesame seed.
You may also be able to spot eggs in your hair.
These are white, brown or yellow circular shells that attach themselves to strands of the hair.
How do you treat head lice?
The lice can be frustratingly difficult to get rid of, but don’t despair, it can be done.
A variety of treatments to get rid of head lice are available to buy from pharmacies, supermarkets, as well as online and you don't usually need to visit your GP to tackle the problem.
The main treatments are:
- Lotions or sprays - While these can be very effective, certain varieties aren’t suitable for pregnant or breastfeeding women, or for kids under two
- Use a specially designed comb - This is can be done by everyone and is relatively inexpensive. However, several repetitions will be needed to do a thorough job.
If you’re not sure which method is for you, it is well worth chatting to a pharmacist who will be able to advise your best options.
How are head lice spread?
You catch head lice via direct head to head contact, where they climb from one person's hair to another's (they cannot jump, swim or fly). They are very unlikely to be spread by items such as combs, hats or pillows and are specific to people - you can't catch them from animals.
Contrary to old wive's tales, head lice have no preference for dirty or clean hair – nor short or long.
Once they have been removed from hair, head lice will usually die within 12-24 hours.
Are head lice and nits the same thing?
No. While many kids in the playground may refer to suffering with head lice as ‘having nits’, the nits are not the lice themselves.
Nits are the eggs, or more specifically egg cases, of the lice.
How can I prevent myself from catching head lice?
It is very difficult to stop the bothersome bugs from spreading.
A study found that 98% of head lice are now resistant to common treatments.
Regular combing may catch the problem early – but lotions and sprays for removing the bugs should only be used if you currently have the lice.
Avoiding head-to-head contact is your best bet.