Head lice
Head lice, also known as nits, are very common in young children and their families. Contrary to popular belief, they don't have anything to do with dirty hair. Head lice are small insects that live in human hair; they are grey and are the size of a sesame seed when fully grown. They are wingless so cannot fly nor can they jump or swim but are spread by climbing from infected hair to the hair of someone else when head-to-head contact is made.
How to spot head lice?
The only way to know if you have head lice is by finding live lice, you may have an itchy scalp and feel like something is moving on your head. You can find lice with a special fine-toothed comb.
How long do head lice live for?
Adult lice can live for up to a month on a human head, with females laying up to 5-6 eggs a day. The eggs hatch after 7 days then mature into adult louse within 9-12 days. Understanding this cycle is key to effective lice prevention and treatment.
How to treat head lice?
You need to treat head lice as soon as they are found, check everyone in the household and start treatment at the same time. There are many head lice treatments available at our pharmacy. Our pharmacy team can help pick the best one for your family.
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