THE problem of head lice can leave you scratching your head for a solution ... but help is at hand.

The itchy critters are an irritable subject for parents everywhere.

They cannot fly, jump or swim, but are spread by head-to-head contact – so it's no wonder children are so susceptible.

The NHS Choices website has this advice: "Head lice are tiny, wingless insects, grey-brown in colour, and 3mm long (the size of a sesame seed) when fully grown. They climb from the hair of an infected person to the hair of someone else.

"A female head louse lays eggs by cementing them to hairs, often close to the root, where they will be kept warm by the scalp. The eggs are pinhead size and difficult to see.

"Head lice feed by biting the scalp and sucking blood through it. They take six to ten days to become fully grown. Once mature, a head louse can transfer from head to head.

"After mating, a female may start to lay eggs as early as the seventh day after she has hatched. So to break the life cycle and stop head lice spreading, they need to be removed from the head before the sixth day after hatching.

"Children are most commonly affected by head lice, although anyone with hair can catch them.

"They can be effectively treated using medicated lotions or by wet combing, using a specially designed comb.

"You can also ask your school nurse, health visitor, GP or pharmacist if you are worried about head lice or you want more advice about how to treat them."

While the subject is not perfect for around the dinner table, it's one Grimsby hairdresser Sarah Ward feels passionate about.

The 34-year-old opened her own business, called Happy Heads, in Pasture Street, Grimsby, last month.

Her salon offers treatment for those suffering head lice and the skin condition psoriasis. It is believed to be the only business in North East Lincolnshire to do so.

She said there was an opportunity to provide a service to head lice sufferers after her children caught the itchy critters.

"A lot of hairdressers will not take people who have head lice, which makes it very difficult for families," said Sarah.

"I have 16 years of experience as a hairdresser and I am now delighted to be offering this new service.

"To treat head lice I have a specific lotion that I massage into the hair, followed by combing and conditioning.

"After this, I am then able to cut and blow dry the hair.

"Head lice is more common in children, who can catch them in school.

"Sometimes a single treatment is not enough, and if I realise this I offer customers a Happy Heads star voucher.

"This gives children the opportunity to come back any six times for sessions to help get rid of the problem.

"I believe the more control we can get over head lice the more we can keep them under control."

Sarah also offers treatments for people with psoriasis, using an Indian head massage technique with lotion as a stress relief.

However, for cases where the skin is sore or broken, Sarah will advice her client to see the GP for antibiotics before she does any treatment.

For more information on Happy Heads, call Sarah on 07544 601842.