Head Lice: often just the thought can make your head start itching. Unfortunately they are a part of life, and if you have a school aged child, chances are you if don't already, you'll soon know much more about them than you really want to.

The problem with head lice, aside from the itching, is the affect it may have on your child if it's discovered they have them. Many schools have a policy of some kind in relation to head lice, which usually includes the infected child having to leave school and remain home until the head lice and eggs have been removed. Some schools nowadays go so far as having regular head lice checks, where a trained nurse will check each child's head for head lice and eggs. If your child is sent home they may soon find themselves becoming a target for unwarranted taunts by the other students, particularly if it's on ongoing problem.

While this can certainly have a detrimental affect on your child's self-esteem the most important thing to remember, and get your child to understand is that having head lice is not a sign of poor hygiene and that some children are more prone to getting them than others. Remind them not to share hair brushes, hats, scarves or other items that may have been in contact with another child's hair. While head lice cannot be transmitted through the air (or from animals) they can be passed on by contact with an infected person or using an infected brush etc.

Remember to check your child's head often: at the first sign of infection treat your child and their belongings (along with checking other members of the house.)

There are many treatments available for head lice, both chemical and natural. A quick trip to your local pharmacy or health food shop will supply you with all you need. Always have a fine tooth comb on hand. A good way to remove both adult lice and eggs is to cover your child's hair in conditioner then use a fine tooth comb to comb over small portions of hair at a time. It can be a tedious task depending on the length and thickness of your child's hair but it will help remove any lice or eggs left after treatment or as an ongoing check.

When treating your child start from the back of the head and work your way around to the sides, remembering to pay close attention to the nape of the neck and behind the ears as this seems to be common place to find them. And bear in mind that there is no single treatment that will kill all head lice or eggs. Often it takes repeated treatments (usually a seven day cycle) and lots of persistence to remove both the head lice and eggs. Make sure whatever you use will not be harmful to your child.

As always, if you are unsure seek professional help.