Dr Peter Brophy is confident a solution can be found

They are examining the substance which lice use to attach their eggs to hair strands and whether or not it can be broken down.

Currently there is no totally effective treatment for head lice and the research team are searching for new ways to address the common problem.

They are working on methods of finally evicting the irritating little parasite from children's hair.

Dr Peter Brophy from the University of Wales, Abersytwyth said: "As a scientist I am particularly interested in how the head lice can attach their eggs to the hair shaft.

"My theory is that this is a very important part of the head louses life cycle.

"Through this project we are attempting to understand the structure of the cement or glue that give attaches the eggs to the shaft

Dr Peter Brophy, University of Wales

"Through this project we are attempting to understand the structure of the cement or glue that give attaches the eggs to the shaft.

"If we are able to understand the structure then we will be able to dissolve it."

The problem of head lice is extremely common especially amongst school children.

It is estimated that 5% of the community is affected by head lice at any one time.

Head lice can only crawl, which means that they can only be caught through head-to-head contact with someone who has lice.

Symptoms

The main symptom, if noticed by the individual, is an itchy scalp.

The lice themselves are small insects of an eighth to a quarter inch length (3.5mm to 7mm).

They are generally found in the hair close to the scalp which is where the females lay their eggs which look like tiny, white pips, called nits.

The nits take seven to 10 days to hatch and the lice can then take seven to fourteen days to become mature and ready to reproduce.

The tiny insect lives on the scalp and feeds by sucking blood through the skin.

The head louse grips on to the hair with its six tiny claws.

Lice can be difficult to see and comb out and even the most careful hygiene cannot stop people from getting lice.