Head lice are tiny grey/brown insects, a few millimetres in length that live amongst the hair of their host and feeds on their blood.

Head lice cannot fly or jump, they can only walk so there has to be direct contact between affected heads for the infestation to spread by lice walking from one hair to another. Anyone can catch head lice but it is most common in children aged between four and eleven.

Head lice infestations are not a sign of dirty hair or poor hygiene.

The main symptom may be an itchy scalp. You may also notice red bites on the scalp or black specks on pillows or clothes.

The only way to know for sure if someone has head lice is to find live head lice on the head. The best method of doing this is by wet or dry combing the hair by using a fine toothed comb. It is recommended that parents check their child's head on a weekly basis.