Pharmacists and pharmacy counter assistants are well placed to educate mums on the head lice management options available

As children step back into the most common breeding grounds for germs, infections and infestations – playgrounds, classrooms and changing rooms – we provide a heads up on the school-age health market, from head lice down to fungal feet

Head lice infections tend to be more common during new school terms, with one in three children contracting head lice during the year. Once again, pharmacists find themselves speaking to parents who are frustrated with yet another outbreak and who are treating infestations long after they have actually set in.

Typically head lice become obvious to children and parents much later in the lifecycle, when itching occurs and the head lice have established themselves. This is usually some weeks after the initial egg-laying and nymph-hatching phases.

So what’s new for nits in 2015? Tyratech, which produces Vamousse Protective Shampoo – launched last July – has just released a new in-vitro study in the US. The research, which was led by entomologist Jason Schmidt, director of research and development at Tyratech, set out to prove that that its product can eradicate an infestation before it sets in. It showed that a daily application of Vamousse (a former ICP Pharmacy Product of the Year) over a trial period killed the smaller, undetectable nymphs as they hatched and broke the cycle after 11 days.

Jonathan Hill, UK country manager at Tyratech, says that Vamousse proved popular during the back to school period last year. “We’re very excited about the results achieved and our products are now stocked in major retailers and all good independent pharmacies, with our distribution continuing to expand,” he explains. “Pharmacists and pharmacy counter assistants are well placed to educate mums on the head lice management options available and we’re confident that the Vamousse product range will continue to make its mark this year as it provides two excellent solutions to treat and protect against those pesky varmints!”

Pharmacists can advise that the shampoo be used daily during the back to school high-risk period, instead of a shampoo and conditioner. Training guides and customer information leaflets are also provided to pharmacies along with the product.

A stamp of approval

Hedrin Once gel has also been heralded recently by the discerning audience of parents logging into Mumsnet, the major parenting website. The silicon-based, dimeticone product was tested by 250 parents, received 75 per cent positive feedback and achieved a 'product stamp of approval', which will run from June this year.

In the test, 94 per cent of mums were satisfied with the product, and 92 per cent said they would recommend it. Ann McIntyre, co-head of insight at Mumsnet, says: “There was a resounding level of positive feedback from the Mumsnet community towards the product which made it an easy decision for us to award our stamp of approval. We congratulate Hedrin, especially as it’s not an easy award to win.”

In response Caroline Wheeler, Hedrin brand manager, said: “We are very pleased to be awarded Mumsnet’s product stamp of approval and will display the accolade proudly. Hedrin is the UK’s number one head lice brand, trusted by both parents and healthcare professionals and this latest award proves just that.”

Hedrin Protect & Go should sit alongside the head lice treatments in pharmacy and can be recommended to parents experiencing an infestation in order to provide protection for the rest of the family and to guard against re-infestation following treatment, says Ms Wheeler. “The product is also ideal for parents facing high risk periods such as at the start of school, sleep-overs and children’s parties.”

Beating the bugs

Used by over a million UK families, the Nitty Gritty nit comb has gained market momentum over the last five years to become “one of the UK’s fastest-growing and best-loved healthcare brands”, according to the company. And all without significant PR, marketing or advertising. In a recent Mumsnet survey, 96 per cent of parents rated the small device as very good or excellent, while The Guardian has endorsed it as “the Rolls Royce of nit combs”. It has also been given a Family Friendly Award by The Telegraph and listed by The Times as a “top five quick fix for family emergencies”.

The comb comes from modest origins. It was masterminded by three London mums, including Amanda Coplans. "We three mums started Nitty Gritty because there was simply no safe, effective head lice treatment available for our own daughters. We are aware that lots of people still haven’t heard about us yet – because we don't have a corporation behind us, or a big PR and advertising budget,” says Ms Coplans.

“Ever since we introduced our clever little comb, we have been just overwhelmed by the demand for it. People couldn’t wait to tell their friends that, at long last, you really could beat the bugs.” The comb is now available in over 10,000 UK pharmacies, according to Nitty Gritty.

Biting back

Parents with school-age children are all too aware of the discomfort associated with wearing a brace. Jerome Lemaire, RB UK marketing director, says: “Thirty-three per cent of British children have crooked teeth and need orthodontic treatment to straighten them, so managing mouth pain can be a huge problem area for parents with children aged four to 15 years, particularly when they go back to school in September.”

RB’s sugar-free, banana-flavoured Bonjela Junior was launched in June 2014 to relieve pain associated with mouth ulcers, which can be caused by the rubbing orthodontic devices. Its active ingredients include lidocaine hydrochloride, a mild anaesthetic, which helps to numb pain and discomfort, and the antiseptic cetylpyridinium chloride to heal infections. “RB’s Bonjela Junior represents a great solution for consumers and an exciting growth opportunity for retailers,” says Mr Lemaire.

Fungal feet

School swimming pools and changing rooms can be a breeding ground for fungal infections. New this year, Excilor could prove a PE kit essential. “Excilor is a best-selling product that targets fungal nail infections, says a spokesperson for the brand. “It is an essential product for children in the summer months / back to school period, as playing in swimming pools on holidays and wearing sandals can result in many more fungal infections. Excilor comes in a lacquer or pen formula so is extremely easy to apply and penetrates further than any other anti-fungal product.”

With the pressures of social media making teenagers more self-conscious than ever about skin complaints and spots, the major skincare brands have a captive market. RB released its new skincare range for spots and skin 'imperfections' in early 2015. It states that: “The Clearasil Ultra 5 in 1 range has been developed to meet the needs of teenagers, for whom the skincare aisle can be confusing given the number of brands available and the variety of claims promoted by the different products”.

The new range is available in three formats: a 150ml exfoliating scrub, 150ml wash and cleansing pads. The new range was boosted over the summer months with a high profile campaign on Capital Radio with on-air radio promotions, digital activity, social media posting, POS campaigns and advertising on Capital TV.

Back to school butterflies

Back to school nerves are not as visible and contagious as nits, but can be just as distressing for children and parents, with one in five children even suffering from ‘school phobia’. On the natural side, Nelsons formulated orange flavour Rescue Gummy Stars two years ago, containing Bach flower remedies star of Bethlehem, clematis, impatiens, rock rose and cherry plum.

Jane Lefever, Rescue’s senior brand manager, says that they are popular with parents and children alike. “The product has seen strong double-digit growth in the last two years with growth of 14 per cent in 2014. Both parents and children can find the back to school time hard, so have Rescue Gummy Stars on-hand for the first day back at school," she says.