Head lice are every parents’ nightmare – they're tiny insects that live in the hair and are super common in toddlers and children. Don't worry though, because they're pretty harmless. That said, head lice will continue to live on your tots’ scalp for a long time if untreated, so it’s a good idea to learn how to treat them.Head lice are tiny grey-brown insects that live in human hair. They are human parasites and need human blood in order to survive.
The female head louse lays eggs on the scalp, which hatch after seven to ten days and are roughly the size of a pinhead. While the lice grow to the size of a sesame seed over the next six to ten days, feeding on blood from biting the scalp, the empty white eggshells stay where they were laid – these are known as nits.Nits are the empty egg white eggshells the head lice hatch from. If you spot nits in your child’s hair, it’s usually a good indicator your little one has head lice.
: Normal shampoo will not remove head lice – in fact, when in water, head lice will stop moving and lock themselves onto the hair. There are a number of different lotions and sprays you can use to treat the problem. However, please remember not all of these will be safe if you’re pregnant or breastfeeding – always check with your GP if you are unsure. Browse through our gallery below to find the best products to treat head lice.