Playground peer pressure – not just for kids

Over half (52 per cent) of parents admit to feeling they are competing with and comparing themselves to other parents at the school gate almost daily according to new research, in an attempt to “keep up with the Jones’s”.

The survey conducted by head lice treatment Lyclear to launch the new 100% Clear campaign revealed that 54 per cent of parents had made sure they invested in the fashionable clothes and accessories for their child just to keep up, with a further 24 per cent of parents admitting to buying new shoes and bags – not because their child needed them but because their friend had them.

Interestingly, this ‘one up man-ship’ among parents even extends to their child’s health with nearly a quarter (23 per cent) of parents admitting to hiding the fact their child has head lice from other parents and teachers. According to the survey, more than one in four dads (29 per cent) failed to alert the school about their child’s head lice, along with one in five mums (20 per cent) – highlighting that for some, head lice remains one of the biggest social taboos for modern parents.

Furthermore, 61 per cent of mums cited the thought of their child coming home with head lice infestations as their biggest fear – even more so than cuts and grazes (37 per cent), yet 40 per cent of parents confessed to not being sure or fully aware of the correct procedures for treating head lice when there is an outbreak.

Louise White from Lyclear states: “It is quite worrying that parents still feel there is a huge stigma attached to their child having head lice. Thankfully, in this day and age, treating head lice is very quick and easy and with the right product you can kill 100% of the head lice and eggs.”

New head lice treatment options

Lyclear have a new range of effective double action formula treatments available in different formats, making them ideal for all the family. The two new products Lyclear Spray and Mousse are clinically tested, free of pesticide, are quick and easy to use and available from pharmacies and supermarkets.

For more information visit: headliceadvice.net