This Year Head lice is a problem that affects nearly all New Zealand school children at some time. The start of a new school term may bring with it an outbreak of head lice. Self Care Pharmacists are ready with advice for parents about how to treat their children if they get head lice.
Head lice are small flat insects about two to three mm long that breed all year round.
They live on the human scalp, feeding on blood about five or six times a day. They are usually brown in colour, but can be dark or light depending on your child's hair colour. Head lice can be spread when two heads come close together. Children can spread head lice this way when they play together. They can also be spread by sharing combs, hats and hair brushes.