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Sales of head lice prevention and treatment products have risen in the past week.

Sales of head lice prevention and treatment products have risen in the past week.

Sales of head lice prevention and treatment products have risen in the past week, according to a Dungarvan pharmacy.

Murray's Careplus Pharmacy says the spike in sales has coincided with the end of the summer holidays.

The tiny insects are a particular problem in schools, where they climb from person to person and cause itching of the scalp.

Pharmacist Liz Murray says if parents notice their children with the symptom, they shouldn't panic.

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She says parents shouldn’t be worried if their child has nits.

Liz’s top five tips for dealing with head lice are;

 

  1. Don’t panic - and ask your pharmacist for help
  2. When using a lice comb, wash the hair first and methodically comb the hair from top to bottom - The louse will be glued to the hair shaft about ¼ inch to ½ inch from the top of the head.
  3. Remove lice before moving to the next section of hair
  4. If using lotions or sprays, check how long they has to be left in the hair before brushing
  5. Check for baby lice hatching from eggs three to five days after you use a product

 

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Liz also says a regular routine will help: “It’s a good idea to do weekly head checks, especially in the ‘hot spots’.  These are the back of the neck, behind the ears, and part lines. A louse is as small as a pencil tip - so look closely! They are fast too. Be careful not to mistake a louse for dandruff, dirt or product for a nit. Remember, if you can blow it away, it’s not a nit”!

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