Head lice: Top three products for ridding children of nits

The new school year is here, and this week children up and down the county will be back in the classroom - those breeding grounds of knowledge and creativity. But, steel yourself parents, they're also prime breeding ground for head lice.

Head lice don't make children ill, but they can be extremely uncomfortable. Lice are very common in schoolchildren aged between four and 11, with an estimated one in three becoming infected during the school year, though most cases aren't reported.

The sesame seed-sized, grey-brown nasties can't swim, jump or fly; they're spread by head-to-head contact and feed off blood from the scalp. The itching is from an allergy to the lice. They can be detected with a special fine-toothed comb and often it's their white, empty egg cases (nits) that are easiest to spot.

Medicated lotions, or wet-combing, can help get rid of head lice, and regular detection combing is advised thereafter to spot and treat lice early and avoid classmates catching them. All members of the family should be checked and treated if necessary.

LOSE THE LICE: My Kent Family's top three products

Vamousse Head Lice Treatment

A fast-acting, easy-to-apply formulation which kills 100% of lice and eggs within just 15 minutes by dissolving the waxy layer surrounding the lice, leading to water loss and quick death. No reapplication is needed. Suitable from two years plus. £14.99, good pharmacies and supermarkets nationwide

A thick gel formulation which contains Penetrol to aid penetration into the louse egg, Hedrin Once is clinically proven to kill lice and eggs with just one 15 minute treatment. Suitable from six months plus. £7.14, good pharmacies nationwide

Nitty Gritty NitFree Comb

A nit-removal comb that quickly and easily gets rid of all head lice, nits and even live eggs when the stainless steel MicroSpiral comb grooves slide through hair that's been coated with ordinary hair conditioner. Suitable for all ages. £8.99, www.nittygritty.co.uk