A plague of head lice is expected to spread amongst children as schools reopen, pharmacists warned today.
Darragh O'Loughlin, from the Irish Pharmaceutical Union, said a dramatic increase in head lice infestations was anticipated.
"Eighty per cent of head lice infections occur in children between the ages of four and 16 and outbreaks can be distressing for children," the Galway pharmacist said.
"Pharmacists can advise parents on all cases as well as specific problems which might arise, where children have asthma, a pre-existing skin condition or where treatment has failed previously."
Head lice, or nits, are small wingless insects which live close to the scalp where they suck blood from the skin. The nits are passed by direct head-to-head contact.
The pharmacist warned parents the first sign of infestation is usually an itchy head but older children and adults may not experience this.
Mr O'Loughlin said the best way of ensuring children were lice-free was through combing wet hair with a nit comb.
The pharmacist recommended parents ensure that any infections are made known to the children's school in order to prevent outbreaks recurring.
The nits are often passed by head-to-head contact among young children. All members of the family should be screened if one person has become infected.
But Mr O'Loughlin said parents should avoid frequent use of insecticides which kill the lice but do not remove them. He said a lice removing treatment should be repeated after seven days to kill any eggs which may have hatched after the first application.