My daughter has contracted head lice and I’ve been asked to keep her at home for the time being, which is very frustrating because she’s missing out so early in the term. She usually ties up her hair but other girls don’t always do so. There are no strict rules about girls tying up their hair even for PE and the nurse on site doesn’t do head checks. Why don’t schools have nit nurses any more?

The “nit” nurse who dealt with head lice was a regular part of school life for generations of children in some countries. What some parents and students saw as humiliating or embarrassing hair examinations had been phased out by the 1990s. Health officials believed the mass head checks were ineffective and wasted precious resources. Therefore, parents had to master the art of nit detection themselves.

Most international schools have a nurse on site, who is available if a teacher spots something suspicious moving in a child’s hair; but unlike in the past, these health professionals don’t generally do spot checks. You would not be alone in wanting the nit nurse back. One recent online survey reported that more than 80 per cent of parents were in favour. Recently, hundreds of parents in a small British town signed a petition urging the return of the nit nurse. However, perhaps surprisingly, the incidence of head lice has not significantly increased since nit nurses were axed.

Nits, the egg cases that stick to the hair, are often the first visible sign of a head lice infestation. Contrary to what some believe, head lice cannot jump or fly. They pass on from one person to another during head-to-head contact by moving along strands of hair.

Younger children tend not to respect each other’s personal space, which is why head lice are so common in schools. Loose, long hair in particular can be a breeding ground as pupils work together in close proximity or play games, which are ideal opportunities for lice to travel from one head to the next. They are then passed on to other family members as they enjoy a cuddle at home.

Although it is an inconvenience, you should keep your daughter at home otherwise a vicious circle of contractions will develop in the school. When there has been an outbreak of head lice in a class, the school often sends a letter to warn the parents to be extra vigilant.

Lotions, sprays or shampoos can be bought that contain chemical treatments for head lice. They are available from pharmacies or prescribed by a doctor. For those who prefer natural methods, wet combing with a specially devised comb removes lice without the use of chemicals. The combs can easily snag hair and bring howls of complaints from children; so beware. No method is 100 per cent effective, but not taking any action is not a sensible or practical solution.

Unfortunately, recent research shows that head lice are becoming increasingly resistant to common treatments. Overusing these or using them as a deterrent in advance is not recommended. This can only make matters worse. The best way of keeping head lice under control is to check your daughter’s hair regularly and treat her head quickly if you find any. Always check at least once a week for a month afterwards to prevent a second outbreak.