Head lice expert explains how to banish eggs in kids’ hair using best-selling £15 shampoo from Amazon – and mums agree
GETTING head lice is unfortunately a common part of childhood - with most kids in the UK suffering around the age of seven or eight.
But, luckily, there are some easy solutions parents can try to ease itchy scalps.
Speaking to the , an expert has revealed that traditional pesticide treatments to banish the tiny insects - and the nits, or empty egg cases, they leave behind - are no longer effective.
"If you find live lice, firstly, don't worry. Head lice are a normal part of life and there is nothing to be embarrassed or ashamed about," explained Ian Burgess, director of the Medical Entomology Centre in Cambridge.
He recommended parents instead try products containing dimeticone, an active ingredient that can powerfully clear-up infestations.
It can be found in a best-selling odourless, pesticide-free Amazon shampoo, Hedrin Once Liquid Gel, that costs £15.
Burgess explained: "A non-pesticide treatment will work by smothering the lice and either stripping them of their waxy coating, causing them to dehydrate, or disrupting their ability to manage water.
"Try a treatment containing dimeticone or octanediol. If you're unsure about treatment options, speak to your pharmacist."
According to the online retailer, it kills lice and eggs in just one 15-minute application and can be used up to ten times.
The head lice treatment has proved popular with desperate mums - and dozens have left five-star reviews.
Head lice facts...
Head lice are tiny insects that live in hair.
Typically, they grow up to 3mm long, making them are difficult to spot.
They can cause an itchy scalp and general discomfort as the parasites live by feeding on human blood.
Nits are particularly common in school children aged between 4-11.
But here's some facts you might not have heard about nits...
- They can’t fly, jump or swim
- They are very unlikely to be spread by items such as combs, hats or pillows
- They don’t have a preference for dirty or clean hair – nor short or long
- They are specific to people – you can’t catch them from animals
- Once they have been removed from hair, head lice will usually die within 12-24 hours
One person wrote: "Just what we needed!!! Did the job well!!!"
Another commented: "No smell! Brilliant."
A third shared: "Out of all headlice treatments this is the best one I've had to use on our kids."
And a fourth added: "This is amazing, kills and rids [head lice] fast."
In other parenting news, we told you how mums are loving toys washing machines which let kids join in with the chores.
We also revealed that a mum's "school station" has helped her family avoid the morning rush.
And a thrifty mum became a millionaire by keeping her grocery bill down to £25 a week.