PROVEN TREATMENTS

■ Hedrin Once Spray Gel (£5.99, LloydsPharmacy) kills head lice and eggs in one 15-minute treatment. It works by physically smothering the lice and contains penetrol, which helps the product to penetrate louse eggs in order to kill them.

■ Medical Herbalist and clinician Dr Chris Etheridge recommends Puressentiel Lice Repellent Spray (£9.99, Boots) and Anti-Lice Treatment (£12.99) “clinically proven to eliminate lice, nits and larvae in 10 minutes, thanks to a combination of six vegetable oils and four essential oils”. Neither contains pesticides, dimeticone, silicone or neurotoxic repellents.