A GUIDE TO UNDERSTANDING HEAD LICE

Contrary to popular belief, head lice are not a serious problem in this country and are rarely a threat to physical health. The more serious problem lies with public perception of the condition. Head lice should not be regarded primarily as a problem in schools. It is more widespread than that, encompassing the whole community. In fact, children are more likely to catch head lice from friends and family outside school than in the classroom situation, where it would normally be passed from a ‘best friend’. Controlling the condition should therefore be seen as everyone’s responsibility. Schools are well equipped to help deal with the problem
by educating children and their parents, dispelling any misconceptions, whilst parents have the responsibility of examining their children’s heads regularly.

Simple facts about Head Lice

What are head lice?
Head lice are small, six legged insects that survive by sucking the blood from our scalps. An unpleasant thought but, contrary to popular opinion, head lice infection is not considered a serious problem in this country and can be easily treated.

What do head lice look like?
A head louse is 2-3mm long (about the size of a pinhead) and can vary in colour from greyishwhite to brown.

Where do they live?
Head lice live on, or very close to, the scalp. They do not tend to be found far from the scalp. 

Who gets head lice?
Head lice are a common problem and not something to feel embarrassed about. Around 50,000 to 60,000 people suffer from a head lice infection each year. Most of these are children as they are more likely than adults to have close head to head contact with others.

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

Fact and Fiction about head lice

Myth: Only children with dirty hair get head lice.
The Truth: No, head lice are a common problem that can affect anyone. They will not choose one hair type over another but do prefer to breed on clean hair.

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

Myth: You should use a head louse treatment regularly to prevent lice.
The Truth: Don’t treat unless you are sure you have head lice.

Myth: The first sign of head lice is an itchy scalp.
The Truth: Only about one in five people with head lice suffer with an itchy scalp. Regularly checking the scalp is the best way to see if your child has head lice.

Your questions answered

What are nits?
Nits are the empty eggshells that are left after the lice have hatched. They can only be removed by fine tooth combing as they are glued to the hair shaft and will remain there, even after treatment.

How do I detect head lice?
Parents can help prevent head lice being a problem by checking their child’s head regularly with a fine tooth comb. Detection combs can be purchased from your local pharmacy. The detection process involves combing damp or wet hair over a piece of white paper to look for live lice, keeping the comb close to the scalp at all times. Combing can be made easier by smothering the head with conditioner. Look for live lice and the pale yellow skins that growing lice have left behind. Only treat if live lice are detected. Regular wet combing is a more useful method of prevention and detection than routine head inspections at schools.

How long does it take for Riddance to work?
It is recommended that you apply Riddance every day for 3-4 days. If inspection still reveals head lice present, the course should be repeated. The nits and eggs will still be glued to the hair shaft and can be removed by fine tooth combing  It is important to continue to use the detection comb for up to a week after treatment to ensure the product has been completely successful.

NeemCare Riddance - Herbal Head Lice Repellent Shampoo

NeemCare Riddance is a safe and natural way to repel head lice. It contains Neem Seed Extract, a powerful natural insect repellent.

How to get rid of head lice with NeemCare Riddance

1. Check the heads of everyone in the house with a detection comb.
2. Treat all affected people at the same time.
3. Wet the hair and apply the shampoo.
4. Work the shampoo into the scalp thoroughly and leave for a few minutes.
5. Rinse the hair thoroughly with plenty of water.
6. Repeat the application for 3-4 days to finish course.
7. On completing the course the hair and scalp should be examined daily by inspection combing.
8. Repeat steps 1 to 5 if inspection combing reveals head lice still present after treatment.

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