ANOTHER outbreak? Head lice alert as Superdrug report 121 per cent surge in demand for anti-bug lotion READ MORE : The BIGGEST head lice myths that everyone believes By Chris Pollard Published: 13:37 EDT, 23 May 2024 | Updated: 13:41 EDT, 23 May 2024 e-mail 1 View comments Sales of head lice treatment spray have surged 121 per cent this week, suggesting a UK-wide outbreak of the bugs. High street chemist Superdrug believes the recent warmer weather has triggered infestations up and down the country. However, the NHS said visits to its head lice advice page had remained steady at around 10,000 a week during April and May.
The common playground parasites are a perennial concern for parents who want to avoid the painful process of treating the family's hair with strong-smelling chemicals and washing every bed sheet in the house. Head lice are tiny insects that live in hair, laying their eggs on hairs near the scalp. Lice can also be contracted by sharing tools such as brushes, combs or towels with someone with an infestation Adults can live for up to 30 days on your scalp Head lice can affect anyone, however they are more common among children aged four to 12 years.
During the warmer summer months, there is greater opportunity for them to be transmitted from head-to-head as children play outside more often. WHAT ARE HEAD LICE? Head lice are tiny insects which live and lay their eggs in hair. Their empty egg cases which stick to hair are known as 'nits'.
Lice, which can be treate.