Head lice

Useful contacts
There are lots of head lice websites. It is such a common problem that some dubious sites see it as a money-making opportunity to sell remedies that do not work, accompanied by misinformation. For reliable information, look for government-sponsored sites, not-for-profit-organization sites and sites run by well-known pharmaceutical companies.

Harvard School of Public Health provides the best site on the web about lice. It answers every possible question you might have. It is a US site, and mentions treatments (such as lindane) that might not be available in some other countries. It has some good photographs of lice and nits. www.hsph.harvard.edu/headlice.html

NHS Direct Online Health Encyclopaedia is a UK Government site. It has a reliable section on head lice. Use the search facility on the home page. www.nhsdirect.nhs.uk/en

National Pediculosis Association is a USA not-for-profit organization (‘pediculus’ is Latin for louse). The website has up-to-date news about lice and a FAQ section. www.headlice.org

NHS walk-in centres in the UK are staffed by NHS nurses who can give information, advice and treatment for head lice. Look at their website for your nearest centre.www.nhs.uk/england/noAppointmentNeeded/walkinCentres/default.aspx

Community Hygiene Concern is a UK not-for-profit organization that developed the ‘bug-busting’ method. They give full advice about how to do it, and also supply the Bug-Buster kit containing four special combs of different sizes (for nits, for adult and baby lice, for untangling hair and for small children). Write to: Manor Gardens Centre, 6–9 Manor Gardens, London N7 6LA, UK. Helpline: 020 7686 4321.www.chc.org/bugbusting

Lice Advisory Bureau is part of the pharmaceutical company Pfizer. The website has good advice on recognizing lice, and a comprehensive FAQ section. There is a separate section for teachers. You can request a free booklet ‘Having a Lousy Time’. As would be expected, the treatment section emphasises their product, Lyclear.www.headliceadvice.net

Headlice.co.uk is a website from the manufacturer’sof Full Marks, Derbac and Prioderm treatments. It contains useful information. As would be expected, the treatment section emphasizes their products.
www.headlice.co.uk

Herbal treatments