What's a safe way to get rid of head lice in children

asks M Scott:

A. Head lice (Pediculus humanus capitis) are tiny insects, about the size of a sesame seed, which live on blood. Their eggs are glued on to hairs close to the scalp and can be a nightmare to remove. After seven or eight days the eggs hatch, leaving shiny white empty egg shells or 'nits'.

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Q. How do you catch the beasties
A. From actual head-to-head contact, which is why they are so common at school and at home.

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Q. How do you know you've got them
A. Usually an itchy scalp, but this might not happen for a couple of months. Sometimes there can be a rash at the nape of the neck. If you are suspicious, follow this routine:

• buy a nit comb from any pharmacy
• wet your hair - add a slosh of cider vinegar, a few drops of lavender oil or the juice of a lemon to the water first to loosen the lice
  lean over some paper and comb the hair thoroughly
• if you have very thick or very curly hair, comb conditioner rather than water through your hair
• if you have lice, you'll see them and the empty egg shells on your paper
• check everyone in the family.

Q. Do I have to tell the school
A. No, but it would be helpful if you did, so that other parents can check their kids, too.

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Q. How do I get rid of them
A. There are lotions and shampoos which contain insecticides, but many people are unhappy about using toxic chemicals on children's heads. Head lice are becoming increasingly resistant to pesticides, anyway.

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A good alternative is 'Bug busting', where you wet your hair then add conditioner, then comb it with a nit comb for at least 30 minutes every third or fourth day for two weeks (nits may remain visible for weeks after the lice have been killed by treatment).

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Q. Does aromatherapy help
A. You could try using essential oil. Add six drops of bergamot, eucalyptus, geranium, oregano or tea tree to two tablespoons of sunflower oil and massage thoroughly into hair and scalp. Cover and leave overnight, then shampoo and use a nit comb. Repeat every two days until the lice are gone.

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Q. What about herbal remedies
A. There are a few around, including some containing neem. The Neem tree has been used for thousands of years to safely protect against insect pests.

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Q. Is it true that lice prefer dirty hair
A. Absolutely not - they love both.

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Q. Can you catch them from pillows
A. No, not hats or the backs of chairs. They can't jump or fly so can only be passed by actual head contact.

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Q. Are they dangerous
A. No - despite the result of a recent Gallup poll which showed that one in eight people thinks that head lice can cause brain damage!

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By Sheena Miller