Lesser-Known Facts about Lice Parents Should Know

There’s nothing more troublesome and irritating than your child coming home with a note in their hand from their teachers, informing you to not send them back to school, until each and every nit and louse has been removed.

The dreaded head lice are back. It sounds like a B-rated horror movie that was probably inspired by Reefer Madness. But it’s worse than that (yes, something worse than Reefer Madness) because it’s a living nightmare!

And no matter how many times you do the “awkward and embarrassing” walk to the pharmacy, it seems like these bloodthirsty critters are here to stay.

So, what do you do? Do you shave your child’s hair? After all the time and effort you put in to make it grow long and thick, is that even an option?

While it can be tempting, the first step to take is to relax, calm down, and educate yourself about head lice.

Here’s What You Should Know…

While it may seem like the problem you’re facing is something that is unique (cue the “why me?” thoughts), head lice are actually a common problem. More than 12 million people in the U.S. contract head lice every year.

But the problem isn’t related to something as simple as “poor hygiene” or something similar. Lice do not thrive in conditions that promote uncleanliness. They thrive in human hair and feed on human blood.

If you’re a parent, you’ve probably heard from your peers that lack of hygiene and poor living conditions cause head lice. The truth is, head lice lurk in the corners of school playgrounds and the reason why children are the most vulnerable is because they are active beings that love to play in the outdoors.

While head lice cannot fly (surprise, surprise!) they can jump high. So, when you’re sitting next to someone who has been infected or taking a selfie (gasp!) your chances of contracting lice are pretty high.

And Here’s What You Can Do:

Every problem has a solution. This includes head lice. While they are common, most parents are unaware of how to deal with them because they don’t have enough information about head lice.

One of the problems is that most parents rely on chemical-based products to get the job done. Not only are these harmful, they are known to contain several harmful pesticides, such as:

• Lindane
• Carylderm/Carbaryl
• Ovide/Malathion
• Stromectal

Lindane has been classified as carcinogenic, while ovide, carbaryl, and stromectal have been known to hospitalize children. The worst part is, some of these products advise parents to keep the products soaked in their child’s hair for 8 hours (yikes!)

Unfortunately, you’re probably already aware of the magic of home remedies (mayo and Listerine, anyone?)

They leave your child’s hair brittle and some even take days to wash off! It looks like you won’t be winning this battle…or will you?

Sure, lice are tough to handle. But that’s nothing for Lice Busters USA. Our lice specialists are experts when it comes to taking care of these pesky critters and saving your child’s hair!

We also offer in-home treatments and home inspections if you want private treatments.

Feel free to call us at (800) 405-8201 to book an appointment or feel free to visit our Orlando treatment center!

 

 

 

Does Having Lice Mean You Have Poor Hygiene?

There’s a saying that first impressions are last impressions. We judge people based on how they present themselves when we first meet them. The way they talk, the way they dress, their mannerisms, their outlook on life; all of these are important.

By the end of the meeting, we’re either left impressed, or with a bitter aftertaste in our mouth.

Have you ever met someone who left a powerful impression on you? Whether it was negative or positive, you probably remembered them the moment you read this.

That’s how first impressions work. And when you’re dealing with something like head lice, they can leave people with numerous questions like, “Does he or she even bathe?”

This is a good question. If you’ve ever encountered someone with head lice, or struggled with the problem before, you probably remember this question popping up from time to time.

But is it really true? Are lice the result of poor hygiene? Let’s take a look and find out:

Lice Only Care About Human Blood

Lice are similar to bed bugs—they only care about feeding on human blood. Whether the scalp is dirty or clean, as long as they can get access to your blood, lice remain neutral.

There’s no evidence that suggests that head lice need a certain type of environment in order to survive. There is a certain temperature that helps them thrive and lay eggs, though.

The average human’s body temperature is 98.6◦F (37◦C) and the average louse needs 18◦C to survive. Nits need humid temperatures to hatch.

This is because they get the warmth they need in order to fully develop inside the shells. Humidity often leads to sweating, which is probably why there are misconceptions about personal hygiene and head lice.

What to do About the Problem

The first thing you should do is keep in mind that head lice are a common problem, with 6 to 12 million people in the U.S. contracting lice every year. But if you’ve tried everything in the book and still can’t get rid of the pesky critters, the devil is in the details.

Most individuals don’t know what to do in the situation (which is understandable). They often go to the nearest department store and buy all the anti-lice products and combs they can find.

But here’s the catch: the products that are supposed to help are the ones that do the most damage.

Confused? Let us explain.

Most anti-lice products—specifically anti-lice shampoos—contain harmful chemicals like lindane and ovide. Research conducted by the Environment Protection Agency shows that lindane has been classified as carcinogenic. And yet, it’s still used in lice products.

The worst part is that these products are aimed at desperate and unaware parents who don’t know anything about its consequences.

Ovide is also an insect repellant. But it’s just as strong as lindane. Most products that contain ovide advice that it is applied to the roots of your hair and left there for 8 hours!

Home remedies are also similar. Even though they’re not laden with lindane and ovide, they do have harmful ingredients that can damage your hair. Some of these include tea tree oil, Listerine, mouthwash, and baking soda that can make your hair dry and brittle if directly applied to the scalp.

Why Lice Treatment Centers Are the Solution

You’re probably wondering what a ‘lice treatment center’ is. Lice specialists are experts in removing nits and lice from each strand of hair. Using pesticide free products and quality combs (that don’t damage hair follicles), they prioritize your health and take care of the problem naturally.

Lice Busters USA is one such service. Our clinic offers natural head lice treatments in Orlando. Our experts have adequate training and immense experience in removing head lice in you and your child’s hair. Using natural products, we understand the importance of keeping your child safe during the process.

From in-home treatments to home inspections, we have everything under one roof.

Feel free to call us at (800) 405-8201 to book an appointment or feel free to visit our Orlando treatment center!

 

 

 

 

Why Nit-Picking is the Only Way to Treat Lice

For such miniscule creatures, head lice can serve to wreak a whole lot of havoc in our lives. While they certainly don’t present any risk of disease or harm, there is a natural reaction of disgust to the idea of having parasites living in one’s hair. More

Head Lice in School – What Parents Should Know

A call from the school nurse can be mind-numbing, but when the call is about a lice outbreak, the aftermath can be chaotic.

Dear parents, don’t panic. Let’s deal with the situation strategically. We answer some questions about head lice infestation.

Why My Kid?

Well, children are the most common carriers of lice as they are exposed to frequent head-to head contact. 6–12 million lice infestation cases are reported annually in the U.S. So, the probability of lice infestation is very high.

I Keep My Kids Clean. Why Did They Get Lice?

Lice are not a causal effect of poor hygiene. Lice are transmitted through contact; your kid might have caught them at school, play ground or at day care.

How To Inspect Hair For Lice?

An adult louse is size of a sesame seed can be spotted with naked eye, although nits are harder to find and remove because of their sheer size.

The best place to look for lice is behind the ear and at the nape.

Is Head Lice Harmful? What Are The Symptoms?

Head lice are a menace but have no harmful impact on the host. They carry no diseases. That being said, they do cause, itching, irritable scalp, sores, and discomfort in sleep.

How to get rid of lice?

There are three treatment methods that you can approach;

1. Home remedies
2. Chemical solutions
3. Natural nit-picking

Home remedies may have side effects and take longer time to show results.

Moreover, the use of chemical products without prescription causes severe allergic reactions. On the other hand, natural nit picking is the safest side-effect-free approach for lice removal.

I don’t know how to Nit-Pick

Well, the process is fairly simple and can be mastered with practice. But if you want your child to rejoin school ASAP, you should approach a lice removal clinic. If you’re living in Orlando, then Lice Busters USA  is the best place for you. They provide wide range of lice removal services at affordable prices.

What To Do If You Are A Busy Parent?

There are special services created for parents who can’t make it to clinics. You can also sign up for an in-home lice treatment. All you have to do is book an appointment by calling 800-4035423.

Should I Get My Entire Family Treated?

You may be sharing toiletries, combs, head gears, beds. Because of this, it is highly possible that the infestation has spread to other members of the family. Inspect other individuals for lice symptoms.

Will They Come Back?

Lice re-infestation can happen if they are not entirely eliminated from the surrounding. This calls for a thorough cleaning of house and belonging. If you find this cleaning process difficult, call a lice removal clinic for a complete lice inspection and cleaning.

Moreover, inform those in close acquaintance of your child to also get treated for lice.

When To Rejoin School?

When all the lice are removed, your kid can rejoin the school. If you go to Lice Busters they can provide your child with a lice-free certificate. Your kid can rejoin school after submitting the certificate.

How Can I Avoid Them?

Educate your kid to avoid sharing head accessories with other kids at school and if they suspect someone has lice, they should avoid direct contact.

Lice are very likely to occur in school-going kids, but if you monitor them closely, an infestation can be avoided.

 

Can Lice Cause Hair To Fall Out?

The tiny, unpleasant critters we call “lice” bring a plethora of problems. There’s that insatiable itch. Then you have got your missed school and work days, having to explain to people around you the reason for your incessant scratching, the troubled sleep, and more.   More

Some Fun Facts about Head Lice

The relationship between men and lice is quite unique. On one hand, there are humans – who have (unsuccessfully) tried to get rid of them for centuries. On the other hand, there are lice – who have stayed true to us. In fact, they are so loyal they cannot survive on any other species on the entire planet. How’s that for loyalty!

We all know what head lice are and how they make us feel. Let’s dig a bit deeper and discuss some fun facts about them. Read on:

• Head lice have been with us since our evolution. The first evidence of head lice was found when researchers discovered head lice on Egyptian mummies. Yes, they have been with us for a long time.
• When a head louse lays a nit, it takes around 7 to 10 days for it to hatch. Then, it requires another 7 to 10 days for it to become a fully-grown louse. You surely don’t want that to happen!
• Lice have been known to show a gender bias. For some reason, it has been found that women tend to get head lice more than men. This can be because of their way of social interaction. For instance, little girls in school engage in more head-to-head contact than little guys.
• Head lice are an incredible example of evolution at work. They are designed to have bodies that match perfectly with their environments. They are quite small and are tanned brown in color. This allows them to hide perfectly in the only place they can survive – the human head.
• When a head louse is born, it has a neutral color. It is only after feasting on human blood that it acquires a brownish-red color.
• In the head lice kingdom, things are slightly reversed. The female of the species is slightly bigger than the male. However, this might not come as a surprise when you consider the fact that the female louse can lay around 3 to 6 eggs everyday for her entire lifetime. Amazing feat, right?
• The female also releases saliva that has glue-like characteristics. This ensures that the eggs she lays do not fall out of the hair follicle.

We at Lice Busters offer head lice removal services in Pinecrest. With a team of professional lice removal experts, we ensure that your kids’ heads get absolutely lice-free. Learn more about our process.