An itching business

However, lice resistance to insecticides is building and CHC dispute the manufacturer’s claims that the products kill all lice and eggs in one application. To make sure the treatment has been effective The Department of Health advises you should check hair using the bug busting method for baby lice hatching 3–5 days after application.

Natural medication
Hair products containing aromatherapy oils or herbal extracts are becoming very popular for use in the wet combing technique. Community Hygiene Concern believes that most are unlikely to kill eggs, and it is the wet combing technique which is really doing the work. The lice may look dead when you drag them out of the hair, but this is merely because they become immobilised when wet. Leave them to dry out on tissue paper and within 24 hours they will be scuttling around, full of beans again. The products are also very expensive. Ian Burgess, however, believes there is strong evidence that tea tree oil may be beneficial.

Electronic combs
These are battery-powered fine toothcombs which promise to electrocute the blighters with a minute electric current. CHC reckons they are difficult to use on anything other than short, straight hair and they are hard to keep clean. They are also pricey at around £20. The combs still need to be used regularly, with recent tests recommending daily combing for one week, followed by combing every three to four days.

CHC runs a bug-busting helpline on 020 8341 7167 and a website at www.nits.net You can purchase a Bug Buster kit, which includes a comb, cape, reward stickers and full instructions from the helpline number, and they are also often available from primary schools. Price: £4.95. Send cheques or postal orders to Community Hygiene Concern, 160 Inderwick Rd, London N8 9JT.