5 Grim Facts about Lice that You Don’t (want to) Know

Lice have been around for pretty much as long as us. Not just that, research suggests that certain species of these pests pretty much migrated, spread and evolved alongside humans! More

Of Boys and Men – Can Boys Get Head Lice?

In a word, yes!! Whether it’s long hair or short hair, whether you’re a boy or a girl, as long as there are roots growing on your head, the lice will have no troubling infesting your dome. Lice need your blood to live and hair to lay their eggs on. More

5 Simple Ways to Prevent Head Lice

Even though we’ve been dealing with them pretty much since the dawn of man, head lice seem to find a way to keep up!

Statistics show that millions of Americans suffer infestations annually. Though lice clinics and lice screening services to a fair bit to make our lives easier, it still does not seem to be enough?

Why Not?

One of the reasons clinics, specialists and national or regional health movements are unable to completely get rid of the lice problem is that they aren’t the ones with lice! We are!

Though a lice treatment practitioner will help you bring your lice problem to zero in the moment, the only person who can ensure you stay lice free is you!

How Come?

This is because staying free of lice means staying sharp with your day to day clean ups and hygiene. A professional can only do so much. The rest is in your hands!

How do I Prevent an Infestation?

Treatment is one thing. When it comes to prevention however, there are a number of simple techniques you can employ to ensure you stay free of lice!

Five Simple Steps

You’d be surprised how simple it is to stay lice free for the most part. You just need to make a habit of the following!

 

Cleanliness

Cleanliness is the first step. We’re not just talking about washing your hair regularly. We’re also talking about keeping your room clean! Have your bedding changed and your carpets vacuumed! Lice can lurk about anywhere!

Further, ensure you shower regularly. Use shampoo and conditioner at least once a week. This is the first step to staying lice free!

Hair Brushes and Combs

It is always a good idea to keep a personal hairbrush or comb. When we say personal, we mean one for every person in the house! The way this helps is that in case someone does come home having acquired a louse or three on the way, it reduces the risk of a fast spreading infestation!

Sprays

One of the best things about the modern world is quick fixes. Lice spray is one of those great things people about 50 years ago did not have access to! Lice sprays act as brilliant deterrents and can be used on clothes as well to prevent louse transfer even when on the move!

Covering and Non-sharing

It is also advisable to cover your hair with a cap or scarf when traveling or going for say a movie. Alternatively, tying your hair might also help a little. This is because you never know who has used the seats before you in such places and what they might have left behind!

One Step Ahead

Regular lice checks are the fifth and final step. Arguably, they are also the most important. Whether you have a professional lice screening/inspection or do the same yourself, make sure you do it! Sometimes you might find nits which are a sign of an impending infestation.

Nip those troubles in the bud by staying a step ahead of those little parasites through regular lice checks! Professional home inspections and checks however are highly advisable.

Additional Tips

Additional tips include but are not restricted to using essential oils, not sharing caps and headgear and drying clothes and bed linens on a hot dry setting.

Conclusion

It really isn’t rocket science. If you’re careful enough and do your due diligence, there is no way in hell that you would suffer an infestation. Between your personal hygiene, preventative techniques and professional lice inspections or screenings, we say you’re pretty sorted!

If you’re looking for a lice clinic offering in home lice treatment and other services in Orlando, Broward or Miami, check out our services and give us a shout!

Examining the Correlation Between Lice Infestations and Illnesses

Despite the presence of lice treatment and lice screening and cleaning services, lice are a serious health and hygiene problem. They are little insects that such blood and live within human and animal hair bodies.

What’s the Problem?

Their saliva causes itching and they can become quite problematic if not kept in check. Though some studies claim that head lice are generally not known to be disease carriers, these statements are still being debated.

There are those that believe the head louse is quite capable of carrying disease and illness much like its body dwelling cousin.

Do Body Lice Carry Illnesses?

Body lice are known to cause diseases, some of which can even be fatal. We’re going to examine the correlation between lice that feed on human blood and diseases they may carry over the course of this blog.

A bit of History

Historically speaking, there have been occasions where infestations of body lice have resulted in breakouts of certain illnesses and diseases.

Body lice are known to carry the Stop-bacteria.com for typhus, trench fever and louse born relapsing fever among others. Two of the aforementioned are fatal. In other words, they can end in death.

Trench fever outbreaks in World Wars 1 and 2 are credited to infestations caused by soldiers living in close quarters. On another note, Napoleon’s army is recorded and proven to have incurred massive losses due to a typhus outbreak. This too was caused by a lice infestation among the ranks!

Current Research

Though for the longest time, infections and illnesses have been associated exclusively with body lice, you must remember that like everything else, these creatures evolve and change.

Certain experts today argue that it would be foolish to just write off the possibility that head lice too can be vectors for deadly illnesses.

Last but not least, if the person suffering the infestation is anemic, has a low platelet count, heavy allergic reactions, and so on, a head louse infestation could cause a lot more than mere discomfort!

Why is this not Heard of Commonly?

Of course it is! Schools, offices and institutions periodically run campaigns to check lice problems. That being said, louse related illnesses are not commonly heard of is because for the most part, those in the developed world have the means to keep lice populations out of their heads, bodies and homes.

Culling the lice population means reducing their numbers. Less numbers equals less chances of infestation. Less chances of infestation means less opportunity to spread disease!

Upshot

Sure lice can be seen as harmless annoyances at best, but don’t let that fool you. These bugs do have the ability to seriously damage your health which is why it is best to be careful.

If you’re already thinking of getting a serious professional delousing done give us a shout! We’re a professional lice screening and treatment clinic offering in-home lice treatment in Miami, Orlando and Broward. Check out our service menu and see what you need. Just remember, it is better to be safe than sorry!

 

How to Disinfect Your Home after a Lice Infestation

Lice infestations are really no joke. According to CDC statistics, between six and twelve million lice infestations occur annually in the U.S. alone.

If someone close to you comes down with a lice infestation, of course the first thing to do is go in for a lice treatment to a lice clinic or specialist. That being said is this really enough?

The Trouble with Bugs

The trouble with bugs is that they are tiny. Needless to say, the eggs they lay are tinier! What this means is even if the individual or family member with lice goes in for treatment it might not be enough. There are a bunch of those little buggers likely still crawling around your home.

These opportunistic little creatures will wait till they find another host and then proceed to undertake their next potential infestation.

What to Do?

After you or a family member receives lice treatment, here’s what you can do to cut down risks of a re-infestation.

Bedding

The first thing to do is to remove all the pillow and bed covers, shrugs and blankets and clean them out. The most important part however, is to use hot water and an extensive hot air drying to ensure all the lice and heat resistant nits are gone.

If you cannot do everything at once keep the remaining items stored in a plastic bag till the first batch is done! This prevents the potential lice on them from getting back on the clean linen.

 

Surfaces

Surfaces like cushions, sofas and carpets can serve as temporary homes for lice on the prowl. Make sure you vacuum and disinfect these properly. Vacuum between tight spots, and crevices. Use anti lice spray once the job is done for a final disinfection.

Floors

Mopping your floors with a damp warm cloth should help rid you of any residual lice that escaped the carpet.

Cars

Make sure you dust off the mats in your car, wipe down the seats with warm water and vacuum all tight spaces.

Clothes

Clothes especially woolen or thicker ones like scarves and sweaters will need to be washed and then hot dried like the linens.

Toys

Soft or stuffed toys will also need to be collected and sent for a complete wash and hot dry.

Final Disinfection

Another round of disinfectant spray all around the house should help re-establish a louse free home.

Screening

Last but not least, family members who did not need lice treatment but have been living in the same home are advised to get a professional lice assessment or screening done. This will ensure that none of those buggers got into your hair during the clean up!

Conclusion

Lice are stubborn so getting rid of them means you need to be just as adamant. Leave no cushion unturned and no rug un-vacuumed.

If you’re based in the Orlando or Miami area and are looking for in home lice treatment or a lice treatment clinic, check out our services because we might be able to help. If you need to call on us, we’re just around the bend!

Why are children More Susceptible to Lice than Adults?

With around 6 million cases of lice amongst children being reported each year, you have to wonder why these pesky critters won’t leave your children alone. More

What Happens If You Ignore Your Child’s Head Lice

Head lice—they’re wingless parasitic insects that mostly affect school going children because of their close contact with one another. While lice can cause a lot of itching and discomfort, they are not a sign of a dangerous disease.   More