For this session, use our parasites article, as well as other sources of information, to strengthen your knowledge of head lice, threadworms and other parasites. This will give you more insight and information to pass on to your customers. You can use information sources that you may have in the pharmacy, such as other articles, OTC medicines guides or manufacturer's literature, as well as websites such as NHS Choices on head lice and threadworms.

Take your time when dealing with concerned customers. Going back to school or starting school for the first time can be stressful for all concerned and it's great if parents know that they can turn to the pharmacy team for help with all of their health concerns. For further inspiration, visit the websites listed in the 'information sources' section.

You will find plenty of information, including expert opinion, on head lice, threadworms and scabies in the article. In order to make it useful and relevant to your work:

• Consider what advice you could give to a mother who is worried that her daughter may get head lice as she has heard it is going round at school. What questions might you ask? Would you recommend a product at this stage? 
• What is meant by physically acting treatments for head lice? Why are they often preferred?
• What are the symptoms of severe threadworms?
• What hygiene measures should a household put in place when one member has threadworms?
• What are the differences in symptoms between those caused by bedbugs and those caused by scabies?
• How would you advise a customer looking for a pest controller to eradicate bedbugs?