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Conditions

Pediculus Capitis

A female head louse (Photo courtesy of CDC)

People of a certain age will undoubtedly be familiar with the legendary ‘Nitty Nora’, the once ubiquitous, but now defunct, nit nurse from their childhood. It was Nitty Nora’s regular school visits that usually struck fear into most children’s souls, terrified that she would discover head lice ensconced on their bonces. These pin-head sized grey-brown, wingless insects, live by sucking blood from the scalp, and leave their eggs (tiny white specks commonly known as nits), glued to the base of hairs. Head lice are transferred by close hair-to-hair contact, which makes them common in schoolchildren, particularly between the ages of 4 and 11. However, anyone with hair – child or adult – can catch them. Head lice cannot jump, swim or fly, so they’re not quite the all-action heroes we might think. However, contrary to popular belief, they have no preference whatsoever as to the cleanliness or style of a host’s hair.

If you’re suffering from any of the conditions featured on this site and want to apply for an onscreen consultation with one of the EB team then you can find more details here >>

Remember that you should always check with a health professional if you have any concerns about your health.

If you are worried that your child may have headlice, check our condition guide for parents on Embarrassing Bodies: Kids.

Watch Tiffany get her pesky nits removed here.

Comments and Questions

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Please note: Unfortunately Channel 4 cannot respond to individual inquiries. If you have any concerns, you can check out NHS Choices, but ultimately it is always best to check with a health professional.

I have a really itchy head and have a few "lice" have been through wet hair with conditioner and some were found. Is there anything i can do to stop my scalp from itching badly?????





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I have also had headlice and nits for 6 years now. I have almost given up. They make me very, very, very upset and I lost lots of friends because of them. I just wish they were gone with their nits. It's horrible.





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the best thing to use is tea tree conditioner the eggs will not go away first time but it can take a long time for it regular combing and also informing schools friends and family in contact will also hel from getting a smit again





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have tried cutting your hair really short, using a product called Hedrin and then useing a spray that contains tea tree? this works for many and helps to keep them away. if this fails i would go and see your gp just to make sure it is nits you have. all the best.

ive had nits for nine years and they still havent gone and ive also tried many treatments but they still havent gone. how very annoying i even got bullied for having them !!!

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im 15 and i have had nits for ages and im being bullied for having them ive tried every spray and chemical form of getting rid of them even to mayonase there is nothing thats getting them away im so depressed please if anyone knows a safe but workable treatment please tell me im begging thanks





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try using normal house vinegar and a nit comb as the acid in the vinegar will help the eggs come from the hair do it until all the eggs are gone you may need to do it more than once then wash hair in normal shampoo to rid the smell of vinegar

Child with nits required for filming for a small piece on our website. If you would like us to clear your lice with the help of The Hairforce - Lice Assassins, as seen on the show, for FREE then please contact Mark ASAP. Details available on the website below. http://embarrassingbodieskids.channel4.com/show-information/want-to-get-your-nits-treated/

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im 15 and i have had nits for ages and im being bullied for having them ive tried every spray and chemical form of getting rid of them even to mayonase there is nothing thats getting them away im so depressed please if anyone knows a safe but workable treatment please tell me im begging thanks





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my sister has had headlice for a while now and we have tried every one of the solutions we can think of what should we dobecause they just don't seem to be wporking?





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Child with nits required for filming for a small piece on our website. If you would like us to clear your daughter's nits with the help of The Hairforce - Lice Assassins, as seen on the show, for FREE then please contact Mark ASAP. Details available on the website below. http://embarrassingbodieskids.channel4.com/show-information/want-to-get-your-nits-treated/

Head lice do JUMP as they have jumped out of my parents fingers when i was younger. So all those people who say that they dont jump they do.





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how do you get rid of nits?





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hedrin gel best product you can buy and it works

Child with nits required for filming for a small piece on our website. If you would like us to clear your child’s lice with the help of The Hairforce - Lice Assassins, as seen on the show, for FREE then please contact Mark ASAP. Details available on the website below. http://embarrassingbodieskids.channel4.com/show-information/want-to-get-your-nits-treated/

since coming back from holiday from Cyprus , i have been loosing weight ,having had all medical test done they could find no reason for this , while watching your program last night ,you said there was a virus caused by ticks ,that cause weight loss , while on holiday i did find a tick n my body ,could this be the reason for my weight loss and what is the name of the virus





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How do you get rid of headlice if your have got long curly hair and short hair? many people have said that having short hair gets rid of most nits but it doesnt.We cant get rid off them no matter what we try they are always there and they wont go away.What should we do please help us.





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Child with nits required for filming for a small piece on our website. If you would like us to clear your child’s lice with the help of The Hairforce - Lice Assassins, as seen on the show, for FREE then please contact Mark ASAP. Details available on the website below. http://embarrassingbodieskids.channel4.com/show-information/want-to-get-your-nits-treated/





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It looks like no one else has asked this question, so please fill in the rest of your details below.





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