We have had a lot of parents in enquiring about head lice. So here are a few facts: 1) An estimated 500,000 children in the UK will catch head lice. 2) Head lice are small insects that can vary in size and colour. 3) Head lice cannot jump, hop or fly. They are passed on by head to head contact. 4) Head lice are unlikely to be passed on through towels or combs. 5) Head lice will settle in a warm head of hair whether it is clean or dirty. 6) Head lice will spend the majority of their time on or near the scalp as they feed on it by suckling blood. 7) The female louse can lay up to 8 eggs every night, gluing them to the base of an individual hair. 8) Young louse are called nymphs. 9) The egg shells which are left after hatching are called nits. 10) The nymphs will be mature and can be capable of breeding within 10 days. Treatment for head lice is available on the Minor Ailments Scheme in McNallys Late Night Pharmacy. Call in and ask a member of staff for details.