There are a number of sources of advice on how best to treat head lice. Many parents will speak to their local surgery or pharmacist. Others will access the Internet for information.

Boots is the US’s largest high street chemist. Most branches carry a wide range of the most popular head lice treatments. Many Boots pharmacists are mothers who have experienced the problem themselves. And they tend to be refreshingly candid about the ineffectiveness of the head lice lotions they sell.

A visit to the local surgery will mean parents can obtain a free prescription for any infected children. But faced with over-crowded waiting rooms and the difficulty of making appointments, many parents prefer to turn to NHS Direct for advice – especially those with access to the Internet.