Head lice (Pediculus capitis) affect only humans, and cannot be passed on to, or caught from, animals. Infestation with head lice is also known as pediculosis.
Head lice are tiny (pin-head sized) grey-brown, wingless insects that live by sucking blood from the scalp. Their eggs, which look like tiny white specks, are known as nits and are laid glued to the base of hairs.
The eggs hatch after seven to 10 days, and 10 to 14 days after hatching the lice are mature and 2-4mm long (the size of a sesame seed). Once mature they start to reproduce, so numbers can grow alarmingly if not treated.
Head lice are common in schoolchildren, particularly between the ages of four and 11, but anyone with hair can catch them. (www.nhs.co.uk)
Headlice seem to be an ever present feature of school life - however with co-operation from all, they can be kept in check.
We stock the Bug Busting kit in school which provides a safe and effective way of dealing with head lice in children. Please ask at the school office.
Click on the links below to find out more about Headlice.
http://www.nhs.uk/conditions/head-lice/Pages/Introduction.aspx
http://www.nhs.uk/Livewell/childhealth6-15/Pages/Nits.aspx
http://www.hpa.org.uk/webw/HPAweb&HPAwebStandard/HPAweb_C/1195733839543?p=1204100452250
Download a useful guidance leaflet here