Interesting Facts

Head lice are only about the size of a sesame seed (3-4 mm) when they are fully grown. Their 6 legs end in hook-shaped claws which they use to tightly grasp the hair.

They are transparent. This makes them difficult to detect in the hair. Once they have fed, head lice turn brown-red. They lay their pearly-white eggs close to the scalp. In some cases, you can find dead eggs, which are brownish in colour or empty egg cases, also known as nits, that are white and look a bit like dandruff.

The eggs hatch after 7 days. These ‘baby head lice’ are called nymphs. After 10 days, nymphs become mature adults ready to lay eggs.

Adult head lice live about 30 days. In that time, female head lice can lay 200 to 300 eggs.

Head lice mainly spread through direct head-to-head contact between people. Children come into close contact with each other while playing, which is why they are affected by head lice more than adults.

Head lice can also spread through clothing and objects, such as a scarf, cap, or brush.

You cannot become infested by eggs. Eggs do not move. Only head lice move.

Non-insecticide-based head lice treatments act in a purely physical manner by dehydrating and suffocating head lice and nits, which helps prevent them becoming resistant to any of its ingredients.

Possible side effects are limited but may include: eye irritation, itching and irritation around the eyes, flaking of the scalp, contact irritation and redness of the scalp, ears or neck. As a general precaution, we advise pregnant women/women breastfeeding to consult a pharmacist or doctor before using Lyclear.

You can do this by measuring how far the eggs are positioned from the scalp. Eggs are laid near the scalp. Hair grows at about one centimetre a month. Therefore an egg that is situated 2 cm from the scalp was laid about 2 months ago.

Head lice may be able to live 2 to 3 days outside of the hair in humid conditions but will then no longer reproduce.

No. Head lice live close to the scalp so cutting your child’s hair will not make any difference. The best you can do is to treat your child immediately.

Head lice have nothing to do with hygiene. Anyone can get head lice, although they are more common in children. Head lice spread mainly through head-to-head contact or potentially also through the sharing of personal belongings (scarf, cycling helmet, etc.). Young children tend to have closer contact. That is why head lice are commonly spread at primary school. At any one time, most schools will have a few children with active living head lice. Head lice do not discriminate between short or long, or clean or dirty hair.

Head lice are a common problem, particularly amongst children of primary school age. The best way to avoid and deal with head lice is to check your child’s hair regularly and use an effective treatment.

Head lice can’t swim. However during contact with water, they go into a state of suspended animation but remain firmly locked onto the hair. That’s why it’s possible to pick them up in pools or near the beach.

Head lice have 6 legs that end in hook-shaped claws which they use to tightly grasp the hair.

Female head lice can lay up to 10 eggs a day. The eggs are usually found near the hair root, close to the scalp. Head lice are difficult to remove. So the earlier you detect them, the easier you can get rid of them.

Head lice feed on the scalp up to 4 times a day. Once out of the hair, they won’t survive more than 2 to 3 days.

Head lice are transparent. This makes them difficult to detect in your hair. Once head lice have fed, they turn into a brown-red colour.

Head lice can’t fly! Instead, they spread through direct head-to-head contact between people. That’s why they love schools and children.

Before using a head lice treatment, examine the hair of each family member thoroughly, preferably in daylight. Use an anti-lice comb to check dry hair for head lice.

If you detect head lice, it’s important to treat all family members the same day, to avoid re-infestation.

For more information on how to use Lyclear treatments, click on the links below:

• Lyclear Treatment Spray
• Lyclear Treatment Lotion
• Lyclear Treatment Shampoo
• Lyclear Sensitive Treatment

Check the hair daily for head lice during a lice outbreak. You can use Lyclear Repellant Spray* to actively help protect your child and family against lice.

To find out more about the Lyclear school programme, click here.

Use a nit comb to check dry hair for head lice.

If head lice have been detected, it’s important to treat every member of the family the same day in order to avoid re-infestation.

For more information on how to use Lyclear head lice treatments, click on the links below:

• Lyclear Treatment Spray
• Lyclear Treatment Lotion
• Lyclear Treatment Shampoo
• Lyclear Sensitive Treatment

Lyclear Treatment Shampoo is suitable for children aged 2 years or older. Lyclear Treatment Spray, Lotion, Sensitive and Crème Rinse* can be used as of 6 months. Lyclear Repellent Spray** can be used from 12 months.

Lyclear treatments are specially developed to kill head lice and their eggs. In the event of a severe infestation, some eggs could still hatch after your first treatment, so you might have nymphs or baby head lice in your hair. There is no need to worry, as these nymphs only become mature after 10 days. Before that time, they develop, but are not yet able to reproduce. Treat your hair a second time, and you should then be lice free.

It’s also possible that your hair may have been re-infested. This is probably the case if you find mature head lice of more than 2mm because nymphs are smaller than mature head lice. lf this louse is female, she may have laid eggs again. In that case you need to start treating your hair with Lyclear again.

You can use Lyclear whenever it is required for head lice infestations, as indicated within the direction for use. Normally, 1 or 2 treatments (depending on the treatment chosen) will suffice to get rid of head lice.

However, it is possible that people who have been treated can get head lice again from other untreated people they come into close contact with. In this case, you can use Lyclear again and it will still be as effective.

A shorter treatment duration <10 minutes for Lyclear Crème Rinse*, <15 minutes for Lyclear Shampoo, Spray and Lotion, <8 hours for Lyclear Sensitive or a longer application time is not recommended.  For the product to work, always follow the treatment times as directed.

The number of treatments you need depends on the type of head lice treatment you choose. All Lyclear treatments only require one application to effectively get rid of head lice and eggs. We advise you to re-check your treated child for head lice after 7 days and repeat the treatment if necessary, should you encounter any living head lice. Lyclear Sensitive requires one (overnight) application.  No matter what Lyclear treatment you choose, always use sufficient product. This is vital for a successful outcome.

Lyclear Shampoo, Sensitive, Lotion and Spray work in a purely mechanical mode of action, which helps prevent them becoming resistant to the ingredients.  

There is a possibility that head lice may become resistant to ingredients of insecticide-based head lice products. However, true resistance to insecticides is relatively uncommon. An apparent treatment failure is more likely to be the result of:

• a bad diagnosis.
• failure to follow instructions: not enough product, treatment duration is too short, lack of head lice and eggs removal by combing, etc.
• (re)-infestation by untreated school friends, family members including adults.
• no cleaning and disinfection of the surroundings.
• not checking 7 days after the first treatment or repeating the treatment if necessary.

Parents who regularly comb and check their children’s hair are ideally placed to spot head lice. This helps to keep the rest of the family free from infestation. If a louse is found, check the rest of the family and use a treatment product at the same time if necessary.

Lyclear Repellent* can also help protect you and your family by preventing a head lice (re)infestation. Some additional tips to protect your family:

• Ask your children not to share clothing such as scarves or caps with friends.
• Tie up or braid long hair.
• Wear a swimming cap in the swimming pool.
• Disinfect the area and wash bedding and personal items (scarves, caps…) at 60°C.
• Vacuum the house and car, and then throw away the bag.

The Lyclear Repellent Spray* is clinically proven to provide effective protection against head lice. During an outbreak, you can use it daily to help avoid an infestation.