Its that time of year again when the children go back to School and the dreaded head lice threaten…regular readers may remember the trouble I had last term and the impact on our family. I therefore jumped at the chance of learning more about these creatures:

What are head lice?
Head lice are small, six legged insects that survive by sucking the blood from our scalps. This sounds and often feels unpleasant but doesn’t seriously threaten our health.

What do head lice look like?
A head louse is 2 to 3 mm long (about the size of a sesame seed) and can vary in colour from greyish-white to brown. Head lice live on the scalp or attach themselves to hairs very close to the scalp.

Who gets head lice?
Head lice are a common problem. It is estimated that around 20% of the school age population are infected with head lice each year. Most of these are children as they are more likely than adults to have close head to head contact with others.

What are nits?
Nits are the empty eggshells that are left after the lice have hatched. They can only be removed with a nit comb as they are glued to the hair shaft and will remain there unless physically removed.

How do I detect head lice?
Parents can help prevent head lice becoming a problem by checking their child’s hair regularly with a fine tooth comb. A comb with short, square teeth with bevelled edges that allow it to get close to the scalp when used at an angle is best. The detection process involves combing damp or wet hair with a fine tooth comb, keeping the comb close to the scalp at all times. This is also a good way to remove head lice if they are present.

How do you catch head lice?
Head lice can only be passed from one person to another via direct, head to head contact. They cannot swim, fly or jump, and are not caught from objects such as the back of chairs.

Fact and Fiction about head lice

Myth: Head lice fly from person to person
Truth: Head lice don’t have wings and can’t fly or jump. They crawl from head to head when heads touch.

Myth: You can catch head lice in the swimming pool, as they can float off the head of one person onto the head of another
Truth: Head lice can’t swim. They stay attached to one head until it comes into direct contact with another. Physically touching one head against another is the only way to pass them on.

Myth: You can catch head lice from house flies
Truth: Head lice don’t live on house flies

Myth: It is necessary to wash bedding at a high temperature to avoid catching head lice
Truth: Head lice do not survive away from the human scalp and are not spread by clothing or bedding. It is not necessary to wash bedding at a high temperature.

Myth: The first sign of head lice is an itchy scalp
Truth: Head lice are normally found only after detection combing. Only about one in five people with head lice suffer with an itchy scalp. Regular checking is the best way to see if your child has head lice

Myth: You should use a head louse product regularly to prevent lice like Riddance Herbal Head Lice Removal Kit.
Truth: Don’t use anything for head lice unless you are sure you have them

For more information, tips and advice please visit http://www.avogel.co.uk

 

This is a sponsored post.

Karen x