Two thirds of children can expect to catch head lice at least once during childhood, new research by the Institute of Mums has revealed.
Over 1.6 million head lice infestations occur every year in the UK among children aged 4 to 11 years, with a peak at the age of 7-8 years.
Treatment is big business. According to the Institute of Mums, who conducted the survey on behalf of Clear Hair International, the head lice treatment market is worth in excess of £40 million in the UK.
Of the 650 parents of primary school-aged children surveyed by the Institute of Mums, 69% had experienced head lice in their children, with an average of 2.2 infestations per child.
“Parents tend to blame other parents when their child comes home from school with their second or third case of head lice in as many months,” said Isma Javid, who runs a chain of Head Lice treatment...