head lice Archives - The Lice Clinics

Can Dogs Get Lice? What You Need to Know About Dog Lice

When we think of lice, our minds often leap to the common childhood ailment of head lice, leading to itchy scalps and the need for meticulous combing. However, whether our canine friends can suffer from similar pests is less frequently discussed. Surprisingly to many, dogs can indeed become hosts to their own species-specific lice. These tiny parasites can cause significant discomfort and health issues for our pets.

This blog post delves into the question of “can dogs get lice?”, exploring how these creatures differ from their human counterparts, the risks they present, and the measures pet owners can take to prevent and treat infestations. Our aim is to provide a comprehensive understanding of dog lice, equipping dog owners with the knowledge they need to keep their pets healthy and happy.

Can Animals Get Lice? Is Lice Different for Every Animal?

Can dogs get lice from humans? Many pet owners wonder about the possibility of their animals contracting lice from humans and whether different animals host different types of lice. While animals can indeed get lice, the species affecting them are distinct from human head lice.

This means you don’t have to worry about catching lice from your pets or vice versa. Each type of lice is specifically adapted to its host, relying on unique diets and attachment methods that are suitable for their specific animal.

These adaptations prevent lice from surviving on species other than their intended hosts, ensuring that your furry friend isn’t responsible for any lice infestations you might encounter.

Why Lice Differs for Every Animal

The divergence of lice across animal species stems from their evolutionary path. All throughout history, lice have co-evolved with their hosts, acquiring unique traits that enable their survival in specific environments. These include physical adaptations like the design of their claws to grip the particular hair or feathers of their host and reproductive strategies synced with their host’s lifecycle for optimal proliferation.

For instance, bird lice have claws suited for gripping feathers, whereas mammalian lice’s claws allow navigation through fur or hair. Furthermore, the dietary requirements of lice can vary based on their host, ranging from blood-feeding to consuming skin oils or dead skin cells.

This host-specificity extends to their lifecycle and behaviors, with some lice laying eggs directly on the host’s hair shafts or feathers, using a special adhesive for strong attachment. Others may adopt behaviors that help evade detection by their host’s grooming habits.

The specificity of lice has significant implications for the treatment and prevention of infestations. It means lice infestations in one species pose no direct risk to another. For example, dog lice cannot survive on humans, and vice versa. However, lice can quickly spread among individuals of the same species through direct contact or the sharing of bedding and grooming tools.

Recognizing the unique characteristics of lice across different species is vital for managing and preventing infestations effectively. It informs the development of targeted treatments and preventive measures that are specific to the type of lice and the host they infest. For pet owners, acknowledging that their animals can be affected by lice, identifying the lice type, and applying appropriate treatments are crucial for ensuring their pets’ health and comfort.

Why Head Lice on Dogs Would Be a Concern

Head lice in dogs, while distinct from human head lice, present significant health concerns for pets, including intense itching and discomfort that leads to excessive scratching. Such behavior can cause skin irritation, open wounds, and potential secondary infections. Moreover, severe infestations may lead to anemia in puppies or weakened dogs, highlighting the importance of promptly recognizing and addressing lice infestations to maintain a dog’s health and well-being.

So, Can Dogs Get Lice?

Indeed, dogs can get lice. Lice that infest dogs are specifically adapted to canines, differentiating them from lice that infest humans. Understanding dog lice is crucial for your pet’s well-being, encompassing two main types:

Chewing Lice (Trichodectes canis): These lice feed on skin debris and sebaceous secretions, causing irritation and discomfort.
Sucking Lice (Linognathus setosus): In contrast, sucking lice feed on the dog’s blood, potentially leading to anemia in severe cases, especially among young, elderly, or immunocompromised dogs.

Dogs contract lice through direct contact with infested animals or contaminated environments. Although not as common as other parasites like fleas and ticks, lice can still cause significant discomfort and health issues. Regular grooming, maintaining good hygiene, and seeking prompt veterinary care when infestation is suspected are key to managing and preventing lice in dogs.

What Are Dog Lice?

Dog lice are tiny, wingless insects living on dogs’ skin and fur, causing symptoms such as itching, hair loss, and skin irritation. Identifying and treating dog lice are essential steps in keeping your pet healthy and comfortable.

What Are the Differences Between Human Head Lice and Dog Lice?

The key to effective lice management lies in recognizing the differences between human head lice and the lice that infest dogs. Human lice are specialized parasites, thriving on the warmth and environment of the human scalp, feeding exclusively on human blood, and laying their eggs on hair shafts close to the skin.

In contrast, dog lice have evolved to survive on canines, with distinct species targeting either the dog’s skin or blood for nourishment. These parasites are adapted to the dog’s fur and skin conditions, making cross-infestation between humans and dogs highly unlikely.

Why Human Head Lice Can’t Be Transferred to Dogs

The primary reason human head lice cannot transfer to dogs (and vice versa) is their host specificity. Each lice species has evolved to thrive on a particular host, making cross-species survival nearly impossible. This specificity encompasses factors such as body temperature and the characteristics of the host’s skin, fur, or hair.

Species/Types/Differences of Lice for Dogs vs Humans

Species/Types: Human head lice (Pediculus humanus capitis) are adapted to living on humans, feeding on blood, and attaching eggs to human hair. Conversely, dog lice include Trichodectes canis (chewing louse) and Linognathus setosus (sucking louse), each specially adapted to dogs’ fur and skin conditions.
Habitat Preferences: While human lice prefer the moist environment of the scalp, dog lice thrive in conditions provided by a dog’s fur and skin. The texture, density, and pH of dog fur create an optimal environment for dog lice that is inhospitable to human head lice.
Reproductive Behaviors: Human head lice lay eggs close to the scalp for ideal hatching conditions. In contrast, dog lice may lay eggs on dog hair, with preferences for specific body areas varying by lice type.

Symptoms of Lice on Dogs vs Human Head Lice

Symptoms in Dogs: Lice infestations can cause severe itching, scratching, hair loss, skin redness, and potential secondary infections in dogs. Anemia may also occur in severe cases.
Symptoms in Humans: Human head lice primarily cause scalp itching, leading to scratching and potential secondary bacterial infections. Visible nits and live lice on the scalp are common indicators.

The stark differences between human head lice and dog lice underscore the need for species-specific approaches to prevention and treatment. Understanding these distinctions equips pet owners to effectively address and manage lice infestations, ensuring the health and comfort of both pets and their human family members.

What Do You Do If Your Dog Has Lice?

If your dog has lice, consulting a veterinarian for diagnosis and treatment is crucial. Options may include medicated shampoos, spot-on treatments, and thorough cleaning of your dog’s environment to eliminate lice and their eggs. Once treated, it is always important to educate yourself on head lice prevention strategies to reduce any future risks of infestation.

Treatments If a Dog Gets Lice

Effective treatments for dog lice include:

Medicated shampoos and sprays to kill lice.
Prescription medications from a veterinarian.
Regular grooming and combing to remove lice and nits.
Cleaning and disinfecting bedding, grooming tools, and the dog’s living space.

Contact A Lice Clinic For Your Lice Needs

Understanding the differences between pet lice and human lice not only alleviates concerns but also highlights the importance of specialized treatment for each. While it’s reassuring to know that humans cannot contract lice from their pets, it’s equally crucial to address human lice infestations with promptness and precision. The Lice Clinics specializes in providing safe, effective, and fast screening and treatment options for human lice, utilizing the latest technology and methods to ensure your family remains lice-free.

If you or someone in your family is dealing with a lice outbreak, don’t let it disrupt your life. Reach out to The Lice Clinics for expert care and support. Trust us to restore your peace of mind with our professional lice treatment services.

Can Stress Cause Head Lice?

Head lice, those tiny, wingless insects that thrive on human scalps, have long been the bane of many households, especially in environments where close contact is frequent. While head lice are typically associated with specific conditions, an intriguing question arises: Can stress cause head lice?

It is certainly a topic worth discussing since Americans are more stressed out than ever. If stress does contribute to head lice, we certainly need to know about it. In this head lice article, we delve into the complexities of head lice infestations, the potential link with stress, and effective strategies for lice treatment and prevention.

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Some Quick Info on Head Lice

Understanding a bit more about head lice is crucial before exploring potential connections with stress. Head lice are parasitic insects that primarily infest the human scalp, feeding on blood. Contrary to common misconceptions, lice are not a result of poor hygiene; they spread through head-to-head contact. The presence of head lice is often characterized by itching, red bumps, and the visible presence of lice or their eggs (nits) on the hair shaft.

Expanding on this, it is important to note that head lice have evolved to be highly adapted to the human environment. Their tiny size and specialized claws enable them to cling firmly to hair strands, making transmission more likely in environments where close personal contact is common.

Dispelling Myths About Lice Transmission

Dispelling myths about lice transmission is essential to fostering accurate awareness. While head lice are highly contagious and can spread through direct head-to-head contact, they do not jump or fly. Transmission typically occurs in close-knit environments such as schools, daycare centers, and households, where individuals are in frequent contact.

Further, it is crucial to emphasize that lice do not discriminate based on cleanliness. Anyone, regardless of their hygiene practices, can become infested with head lice. This dispelling of myths contributes to creating a more informed and empathetic environment when addressing lice infestations.

Can Stress Cause Head Lice?

The potential link between stress and head lice is a subject of curiosity. While scientific evidence directly correlating stress with an increased susceptibility to head lice is limited, some theories suggest that stress may indirectly contribute to lice infestations.

Stress weakens the immune system, making individuals more susceptible to various health issues, including lice. Additionally, stressed individuals may engage in behaviors such as excessive scratching, which could increase the risk of lice transmission. Moreover, chronic stress can compromise the body’s immune response, potentially making it more challenging to fend off external threats like lice.

Stress-related behaviors, such as constant head scratching, not only contribute to the discomfort associated with lice but may also facilitate the transmission of lice to others. While experiencing high levels of stress individuals can also be distracted and may unintentionally expose themselves to head lice or fail to use best practices to avoid head lice.

This could include forgetting to check their children’s scalps weekly for head lice or wearing their hats or scarves without washing them first. However, it is important to note that these are all indirect causes, and there is no direct link between stress causing lice.

Simply put, the answer to “Can stress cause head lice?” is no, however, it can make you more susceptible to an infestation.

The Importance of Professional Lice Treatment

Regardless of the potential connection with stress, prompt and effective lice treatment is crucial once an infestation is detected. Over-the-counter and prescription lice treatments, such as shampoos and lotions, are commonly used to eradicate lice. However, the rise of resistant strains emphasizes the need for thorough and meticulous lice removal methods, including the use of fine-toothed lice combs.

Expanding on this, it is essential to highlight the importance of following treatment instructions carefully. Incomplete or inconsistent use of lice treatments can contribute to the development of resistant lice, making the eradication process more challenging. Additionally, manual removal of both live lice and nits using specialized combs remains a critical step in ensuring a comprehensive and lasting solution.

For more effective lice treatment and peace of mind, visit a lice removal clinic near you to schedule a professional lice treatment. These lice specialists use the latest lice removal technology and techniques, and the success rate is far higher than any home treatment.

Head Lice Prevention Strategies

While it is critical to understand how to treat lice, it is better to learn how to avoid head lice in the first place. Preventing head lice infestations therefore involves a multifaceted approach, with an emphasis on awareness and proactive measures. Key strategies include:

Teaching Kids About Lice Prevention

Raising awareness about lice transmission, debunking myths, and promoting hygienic practices are essential components of lice prevention. Especially among young children, who are the most vulnerable to rapidly spreading head lice infestations.

Further, routine head checks, especially in high-risk environments, contribute to early detection and timely intervention. If children are aware of the problems with head lice, they are more likely to report any itching or bumps that could be symptoms of head lice.

Stress Management and Head Lice Prevention

While the direct link between stress and lice is inconclusive, promoting stress management techniques can have broader health benefits, potentially reducing susceptibility to various health issues. Individuals who manage their stress are far less likely to be distracted or make an absent-minded decision that accidentally brings home unwanted guests like head lice.

Does Personal Hygiene Make You Less Susceptible to Head Lice

Encouraging individuals to avoid head-to-head contact, not sharing personal items like combs and hats, and tying long hair can minimize the risk of lice transmission. Regular cleaning of personal items, bed linens, and shared spaces also helps eliminate stray lice and reduces the risk of re-infestation. However, your personal hygiene does not make you more or less likely to get head lice. Poor hygiene is not a factor in contracting lice, anyone can get them regardless of their personal hygiene.

Expanding on these lice prevention strategies, education plays a pivotal role in preventing the spread of lice. School programs, community workshops, and informational campaigns can equip individuals with the knowledge needed to identify risk factors and implement preventive measures. Stress management, although not a direct preventive strategy, contributes to overall health and resilience, potentially reducing vulnerability to health issues like lice.

The Role of Mind-Body Connection in Lice Prevention

Although the direct correlation between stress and head lice remains uncertain, understanding the mind-body connection is crucial. Stress management not only contributes to overall well-being but may indirectly impact the immune system’s resilience against various health challenges, including lice. Encouraging a holistic approach to health, which includes stress reduction practices, can be beneficial for both individual well-being and potential lice prevention.

Building on this, holistic health practices encompassing mindfulness, relaxation techniques, and stress-reduction activities may contribute to a healthier overall immune response. While these practices may not have a direct impact on preventing lice infestations, they can create a more robust foundation for general well-being and recovery if you do unfortunately contract lice.

Addressing the Psychological Impact

Beyond the physical discomfort, a head lice infestation can have psychological repercussions, especially in children. The stigma associated with lice can lead to anxiety and stress. Addressing the psychological impact involves open communication, destigmatizing lice infestations, and fostering a supportive environment.

Further, open communication at home and in educational settings is crucial in reducing the stigma associated with lice. Creating an environment where individuals feel comfortable discussing lice infestations facilitates early detection, prompt treatment, and a more positive overall experience for those affected.

Effective Professional Head Lice Treatment Near Me

At The Lice Clinics, we take pride in being your dedicated partners in lice treatment. Utilizing state-of-the-art technology, we ensure a non-toxic and efficient solution to eliminate lice and their eggs. Our team of skilled professionals goes beyond treatment, offering personalized plans to prevent re-infestation.

Our team is here to help educate you about head lice and answer any questions that you may have about head lice. Hopefully, you better understand the answer to your question “Can stress cause Head Lice?”

We understand the emotional toll of lice infestations, especially for children, and provide a supportive environment that includes education, destigmatization, and emotional guidance. From meticulous removal with professional lice combs to valuable insights on preventive measures, we stand by you throughout the entire process. At The Lice Clinics, we are not just treating lice; we are dedicated to your well-being and peace of mind.

Reach out to one of our lice removal experts to learn more about head lice treatment options.

Lice Infestation Prevention Tips for The Holiday Season

The holiday season is a time of joy and togetherness, meant for celebration, not cleaning up a lice infestation. When the kids come home for the winter vacation, they might bring a few unwanted guests with them – like head lice. The same goes for when you go to family gatherings or celebrations with friends. Given the increased number of potential places to become a host, lice prevention tips for the holiday season become even more critical.

While you can catch lice any time of the year, risking exposure during the holidays isn’t worth it. These pests spread primarily through head-to-head contact, so start your prevention efforts there to have a worry-free holiday season. As your leading source for lice prevention and treatment, we’ve compiled a list of the best lice prevention tips for the holiday season plus removal tips to help make sure that you enjoy a lice-free holiday!

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Why The Holidays are a Common Time for Lice to Spread

During the holiday season, the increased frequency of close, intimate social gatherings can contribute to a higher risk of head lice transmission among family and friends. The festive holiday atmosphere often involves hugging, cuddling, and close interactions during family events, which may inadvertently provide opportunities for lice to spread from one person to another.

Children engaging in playful activities, such as sharing hats or taking group photos, can further facilitate the transfer of lice infestations. Additionally, the hustle and bustle of the holiday preparations may lead to less attention to personal hygiene practices, making it easier for lice to move from one individual to another.

To minimize the risk, families need to be aware of preventive measures, encourage good hygiene habits, and educate members about the importance of avoiding head-to-head contact and sharing personal items during these joyful holiday celebrations.

Why a Lice-Free Holiday is Important

Avoiding getting lice is important for several reasons. Firstly, head lice infestations can be uncomfortable and itchy, causing irritation and distress. The constant itching can lead to skin infections and disrupt daily activities. Secondly, lice are highly contagious, and their spread can be challenging to control, particularly in close-knit environments such as schools or households. Preventing lice is crucial for maintaining a hygienic living environment and minimizing the risk of transmission to others.

Additionally, the social stigma associated with lice infestations can be a source of embarrassment and stress, especially for children. By taking proactive measures to prevent lice, individuals and communities can contribute to a healthier, more comfortable, and socially positive environment.

What You Need To Know About Lice Infestation Prevention: Holiday Season Lice Tips

Knowing the basics of lice infestation prevention is the first step in lice prevention. Here are some tips to remember before you travel for the holidays:

Bring your own pillowcases and sheets when staying in hotels or with relatives. This reduces your chances of coming into contact with lice present in shared bedding.
Encourage your kids to wear jackets or hooded outerwear in crowded places. This simple measure can help prevent head-to-head contact, reducing the risk of lice transmission.
Don’t forget to do head checks during travel, especially if your family is in close quarters for more than a few minutes.
Keep your living spaces clean and vacuum regularly, paying attention to areas where people frequently gather. This reduces the chances of lice or nits surviving in the environment, allowing you to return home to a clean, lice-free home after your travels.

Lice Infestation Prevention Tips for Holiday Gatherings

Head lice awareness doesn’t stop when you get to your holiday celebration. When you know you won’t have much personal space, follow these lice infestation prevention tips to avoid bringing lice home with your gifts.

Before the holiday festivities kick in, take a moment to screen family members, especially the kids of the bunch, for any signs of head lice. Use a fine-toothed comb to check for lice and nits (lice eggs) several times before you travel.
Take the opportunity to educate friends, family, and other people you’re celebrating the holidays with about the importance of lice prevention during this time. Encouraging everyone to participate in creating a collective effort can significantly reduce the risk of infestation.
While holiday hugs and close greetings are common and usually expected in some situations, ask people to respect your personal space to minimize the risk of head-to-head contact. This reminder is handy for children who may not realize how quickly lice can spread from one head to another.
Suggest holiday activities that don’t promote the spread of lice. Structured games, crafts, and activities can make holiday gatherings enjoyable and lice-free. Host these activities in a large space where people can spread out and around the room.
Avoiding the sharing of personal belongings like hats and hair accessories that can facilitate lice spread. Encourage everyone to keep their belongings separate to avoid unintentionally sharing these items, allowing lice to find a new home on your scalp.

In the spirit of joyful holiday celebrations, remember that head lice awareness remains crucial. By diligently following these head lice infestation prevention tips for the holiday season, from pre-screening for lice to educating your loved ones and setting boundaries for personal space, you can create a festive environment that is not only full of warmth and cheer but also free from the unwanted presence of lice.

By promoting these practices and choosing lice-conscious activities, you contribute to a collective effort that significantly reduces the risk of infestation, ensuring that the season is filled with happy memories and not the inconvenience of dealing with head lice.

Lack of Head Lice Awareness Can Cause a Psychological Impact

Holiday lice infestations don’t just impact your scalp. They can ruin the season’s festivities, bringing unwelcome stress and discomfort to your family. After noticing the signs and symptoms of lice, you might deal with anxiety, embarrassment, or a sense of isolation, especially when holiday gatherings are at their peak. Missing out on the fun is only one part of it. For people with older or sick family members, it could mean missing out on making lasting memories with loved ones.

Taking the necessary measures to protect everyone from lice during the holidays can strain your relationships with family and friends, especially if they aren’t concerned about dealing with these pesky creatures. Understanding which lice infestation prevention methods will work best for your holiday plans is essential.

When Lice Infestation Prevention Fails

What happens when your prevention efforts fail? If you or someone in your household does fall victim to a lice infestation, don’t panic. The Lice Clinics are here to help you find the appropriate and most effective treatment to destroy any trace of lice, nits, and what they leave in their aftermath. With more than 950,000 successful treatments on our records, we’re confident that options like our heated air device make a significant difference in getting rid of holiday lice infestations compared to other methods. Contact one of our South Carolina locations, Greenville and Anderson, to schedule an appointment.

How Long Do Head Lice Last? An Expert Guide

If you’ve ever had head lice, then your first question (after where the heck you got them from) is probably “How long do head lice last?” Our head lice experts are here to provide an answer with our latest article as an expert guide to the question, how long do head lice last?

Head lice are tiny insects that live on human heads. They are only spread through direct head-to-head contact with an individual already infected. Even though head lice mostly occur among children, adults can get head lice as well. It is a nuisance to deal with, but it is not damaging to your health.

The only way head lice can cause serious symptoms is if it is left untreated. When it is thoroughly treated, head lice is a temporary irritation with no long-term effects. In this blog, we’ll discuss how to know if you have a head lice infestation, how long head lice can live, and why you should begin a treatment plan right away.

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What Are the Signs of Head Lice?

To start treating a head lice infection, you need to know what are the signs of head lice to recognize if you have them. Unfortunately, most people with a head lice infestation aren’t aware they have it until several weeks. This is because at first, the infestation is light and won’t cause many symptoms. As more head lice are reproduced, the infestation will worsen and the symptoms will begin. It may take 4-6 weeks for an itching sensation to occur after exposure.

If you notice you are scratching your head more than usual or you feel a crawling sensation on your scalp, ask someone to look through your hair for head lice. Some people may not know what to look for, though. Here are some helpful tips to look through someone’s hair for head lice:

Look for live lice. Look for adult lice and baby lice (nymphs). Adult lice are about the size of a sesame seed and grayish-tan in color. Nymphs are a little bit smaller than adult lice since they are still growing.

Look for eggs. Head lice eggs (nits) can be difficult to see and can be easily confused with dandruff. Nits can be found near the base of the hair shaft. To tell the difference between nits and dandruff, try to flick the speck off the hair. If it does not move, it is likely a nit. If it moves easily, it is more likely to be dandruff.

Have someone check the back of your scalp, around your ears, and at the base of your neck as these are common places where head lice and nits are found.

How Long Do Head Lice Live?

Head lice survive by feeding on the blood in a human scalp. This feeding along with crawling is what causes the main symptom of head lice: an itchy scalp. Without a human host, head lice will not survive more than a week.

However, as long as they remain on a person’s head, head lice will live for up to 30 days. This does not mean that a person with an infestation can wait 30 days for all the lice to die. While head lice are on a human scalp, they mate and lay eggs in the hair. Females can lay up to 8 eggs per day. These eggs hatch after about 8-9 days and the cycle continues, creating a larger infestation. This cycle will keep going and head lice will remain on the scalp until treated. With effective treatment, all head lice and symptoms should be gone after about 2-3 weeks.

How Are Head Lice Treated?

As stated, head lice will not go away on their own. Even though going through the process of treating an infestation can be an annoyance, the infestation shouldn’t be ignored. You may have heard about at-home lice treatments with household items such as mayonnaise and petroleum jelly, but these treatments are not scientifically proven to work.

You want an effective head lice treatment as soon as possible to avoid a severe infestation which will be harder to get rid of. Below are head lice treatment options you may have more success with.

Using Lice Shampoos and Lotions Treat Head Lice

It is common for someone with head lice to first try a lice shampoo or lotion kit. These over-the-counter kits contain specific directions, so be sure to follow the directions closely when applying the treatment. These kits will usually include a special combing brush to pick out the nits and adult lice.

You will need someone to help you do this since it is challenging to see head lice on your own head. If the shampoo or lotion does not come with a nit comb, you should purchase one separately and have someone use it to pick through your hair after applying the treatment. This will increase the chances of eliminating all head lice.

Professional Dehydration Technique for Treating Head Lice

The most popular, quickest, and most effective head lice treatment plan is one that uses a heated air treatment. Head lice live best in humid environments and have high water content. The heated air device uses heated warm air to dry out and kill head lice. Professionals are trained on how to most effectively use the device to eliminate all head lice in 30 minutes.

Visit a lice clinic near you to learn more about their AirAlle treatment plan. If you are near Greenville, Anderson, or Spartanburg then visit one of our Lice Clinics!

Using Oral and Topical Prescription Drugs for Lice

There are also oral and topical prescription drugs that can be used in some cases. Tablets taken by mouth to treat head lice are highly effective but are usually only used when other treatment plans haven’t worked. These can be prescribed by a dermatologist for severe head lice cases. A healthcare provider can prescribe you topical prescription drugs that can be applied and rubbed onto the hair and scalp to kill lice.

So, How Long Do Head Lice Last? That Depends on How You Treat it!

The answer to the question ‘How long do head lice last’ largely depends on how quickly you can identify it and treat it. If the head lice go undetected they can spread and get worse in a short period of time. Even if they are detected but you use home treatments that are not scientifically proven (and usually gross) then you will likely suffer from the bugs for much longer.

If you want to get rid of your head lice as soon as possible you need to seek effective medical treatment, this is the best way to shorten the length of your head lice infestation. There are specific lice treatments for every type of hair, and a lice removal professional will help you get the right one.

Guaranteed Relief With The Lice Clinics

At The Lice Clinics, we understand the importance of removing all head lice as soon as possible. A head lice infestation will only become worse each day, so effectively treating infestations is our primary goal.

We offer several different head lice treatment options. You can read the description of each option on our website to pick the best one for your situation. We have clinics conveniently located in Greenville, Anderson, or Spartanburg.

Contact our lice treatment team today to put an end to head lice and return to normalcy.

Introduction

An itch here and a scratch there can seem like nothing at first. A few days later you notice that the scratching is becoming more frequent and seems as if it’s gradually getting worse. You might notice some raised patches of skin around your hairline and your first thought might be that you’re having a reaction to a recent hair care product you used.

What Are The Symptoms of Head Lice?

Truthfully, you are having a reaction to something but it’s not your hair gel.

Head lice is an incredibly difficult and annoying condition to treat without the proper tools and treatments needed. On top of that, it is a condition that can gradually worsen in a very short amount of time. Therefore getting a diagnosis is vital in the treatment journey of head lice. Below we will discuss the early signs and symptoms for head lice and treatment options available at The Lice Clinics Spartanburg.

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First: What Are Head Lice?

Also called Pediculus humanus capitis, head lice are a parasitic insect that affect the scalp, eyelashes, and eyebrows of humans. They survive on the blood of humans and can live on the scalp for about 30 days. They have six legs total and each are equipped with small hooks at the ends, which allows them to attach tightly to the hair strands.

Head lice and nits (lice eggs) are almost exclusively found on the scalp and it is uncommon for them to survive on other parts of the body. You can find them residing in what are known as hot spots on the head: behind the ears, at the base of the neck, at the crown, and around the hairline. Their nits are found about ¼ of an inch above the scalp which makes them incredibly difficult to remove from the scalp, somewhat cemented in the hair without the proper removal tools.

Who Is At Risk Of Catching Head Lice?

On a national average, children are most at risk to catch this condition, specifically those aged 3-11 years of age. About 6-12 million infestations of head lice occur in the United States every year. Head lice also are least likely to affect African Americans due to the nature of head lice and how they grip to the hair shaft.

Head lice move around the hair by crawling. They do not have wings and therefore they cannot fly nor can they jump. They are spread between people through sharing hair tools and accessories or pillowcases. Head lice has nothing to do with hygiene and strictly relies on contact transmission.

Symptoms Of Head Lice

Some common symptoms of head lice include: a tickling feeling on the hair, itching and scratching, difficulty sleeping, and sores/raised skin on the scalp or hairline. To be clear, you cannot technically feel a louse crawling on your head. What you do feel, however, is the after effect of their bite on your scalp and your skin’s reaction to that bite.

By their nature, head lice can be difficult to identify with a naked eye. For starters, they are incredibly small and fast-moving. An adult head louse is about the size of a sesame seed and the nits females lay are about the size of a knot in a piece of thread. The nits themselves are even more difficult to identify because of how close they are to the scalp. From the naked eye they are often confused for dandruff or dirt on the scalp. Adult head lice, on the other hand, tend to be difficult to diagnose not only because of their size and speed but also their color. These insects tend to be the same color as the hair of the person they are infecting, so seeing it with an untrained eye will be nearly impossible.

A professional lice treatment center will often diagnose a case of head lice by using a microscope to locate a live adult louse or nymph. Once identified, they will discuss the proper treatment in order to eradicate the issue. Although a nuisance to deal with, head lice do not spread disease. That being said, one can catch a bacterial infection but rather than be from the insects, it can come from the constant head scratching and the bacteria buildup under fingernails.

Treatments

There are many treatment options available but the best one is going to a professional lice treatment center. At The Lice Clinics we pride ourselves on being the first and only step you’ll need to take in treating head lice. Our completely guaranteed Lice Tech machine uses heat to completely kill head lice and dehydrate their nits. Starting at $199 we will use the Lice Tech for about 30 minutes, followed by a comb-out to completely remove the insects and eggs. Lastly we’ll apply an oil treatment to the scalp.

Other treatments include the Lice Tech Express, a take home do-it-yourself-kit that you can pick up at one of our locations, and a traditional comb-out. We want to ensure that our treatments are available for everyone and their budgets, which is why we offer a number of treatments. The quickest and most effective way to treat head lice is to visit a professional as soon as possible. If left unchecked, the condition will not only worsen but also spread.

Look No Further Than The Lice Clinics in Spartanburg!

We are confident in our technology to produce top tier results in treating head lice. In fact, we even offer a 30 day service re-treatment policy for anyone who visited our office and received treatment that proved to be ineffective, for free. We mean business.