Head lice are extremely common and unlikely to be eradicated anytime soon. No need to feel ashamed if you or your child has them—taking swift action is what matters most.
Head lice thrive in primary schools, with many secondary schools affected too
Children often play with heads close together, enabling lice to spread easily. Some primary schools conduct checks after holidays, but regular inspections are crucial. Prioderm research reveals that secondary schools also battle head lice, though it receives far less attention.
No shame in having head lice
Anyone can get them. The real issue is knowing you have lice and doing nothing about it. Head lice don't discriminate—they infest all types of hair, clean or not.
Lice seek out warm spots
Check first behind the ears, at the nape of the neck, and along the bangs—these are prime locations during inspections.
Remove nits with special treatments or conditioner
Nits are lice eggs that cling tightly to hair shafts, making removal challenging. Leftover nits can lead to reinfestation, so thorough removal is essential. University of Ghent studies confirm conditioner works just as effectively as dedicated products. Also read: How do you remove nits?
March 4 is Lice Awareness Day
A new campaign, Luis at home?, launched by RIVM aims to track head lice prevalence and management strategies. If your children have lice, report it via their website.
Read also: What can you do against lice?
