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How To Prevent Lice

For many people out there, the mere mention of lice can spark a wave of scalp-tingling discomfort and phantom itches. Known to thrive in human hair, lice are tiny parasites that feed on human blood and are easily spread, especially among school-aged children. Thankfully, prevention is better than cure, and there are multiple ways to safeguard yourself and your family from a lice infestation. In this blog post, we will discuss practical insights on how to prevent lice and how to keep yourself and your family informed to ensure you stay one step ahead of these pesky invaders.

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Understanding Lice and Raising Awareness

Before diving into the prevention strategies, it is crucial to understand what lice are and how they operate. Lice are tiny, wingless, parasitic insects that live in human hair. The most common type affecting humans is head lice or Pediculus humanus capitis. An infestation occurs when lice lay eggs, also known as nits, on the hair shaft, close to the scalp. These eggs hatch within 1-2 weeks into nymphs, which mature into adults within 7-10 days. Adult lice can survive up to 30 days on a human host, feeding on blood several times a day. One of the most effective strategies to prevent lice infestations is understanding these pesky parasites and their life cycle.

Furthermore, raising awareness about lice, especially among school-aged children who are at high risk of infestation, is crucial. Knowledge is your first line of defense against lice, and discussing lice prevention with your children and explaining to them how lice operate is the most effective strategy to prevent an infestation. This is especially relevant for school-aged children, who are more likely to come into close head-to-head contact with their peers, which is the primary method of lice transmission. Teaching your children not to share personal items such as combs, hats, or headphones will also significantly reduce the risk of transmission. Parents, teachers, and guardians can only do so much against head lice if the children are not careful while they are out and among other kids, so please take the time to talk to your kids about head lice.

Lice Prevention Products and Practices

Now that we understand the importance of educating your children about head lice and how they operate, we can discuss what you can do as a parent or guardian to reduce the risk of head lice from invading your home. Some of the best products used for lice prevention are as follows:

Over-the-Counter Products: Numerous over-the-counter lice prevention shampoos, conditioners, and sprays exist. These often contain natural ingredients, such as tea tree oil, lavender oil, or eucalyptus oil, known for their potential to repel lice. Use these products as directed on the packaging for best results.
Lice Repellent Sprays: Some sprays can be applied to items such as hats, scarves, or coats to deter lice from latching onto these objects.
Lice Prevention Kits: Certain brands offer comprehensive lice prevention kits. These kits may include a combination of shampoo, conditioner, leave-in sprays, and sometimes, fine-toothed combs for nit removal.
Essential Oils: Some studies suggest that certain essential oils may act as natural lice repellents. These include tea tree, lavender, neem, and peppermint. However, never apply essential oils directly to the scalp. They should always be diluted with a carrier oil, and some individuals may be allergic to specific oils.

Aside from using store-bought or household items for lice defense, you should also consider these best practices to help make lice prevention habits a more routine occurrence in your household:

Avoid Head-to-Head Contact: As lice spread primarily through direct head-to-head contact, avoiding such contact is key in lice prevention.
Don’t Share Personal Items: Discourage sharing of items that come into contact with the hair like combs, hair accessories, headphones, hats, and scarves.
Regular Cleaning of Personal Items: Clean combs, brushes, and hair accessories regularly in hot water. Lice can survive up to 48 hours off the human head, and nits can live for over a week.
Wash and Dry Bedding and Clothing: Use hot water when washing potentially contaminated items, and a high heat setting when drying.
Seal Non-Washable Items: For items that can’t be washed, sealing them in a plastic bag for two weeks will ensure any lice or nits are dead.
Regular Hair Care: Regular washing, conditioning, and combing of hair can dislodge and remove lice and nits. Some believe that lice prefer clean hair, but maintaining regular hair care can still be helpful in the early detection and management of lice.
Check and Treat Pets: While pets don’t get human lice, checking them and maintaining their hygiene will help ensure a clean environment at home.

Remember, these products and practices don’t guarantee 100% protection, but they significantly reduce the risk of a lice infestation. In the event of an infestation, it’s essential to treat all household members and clean all personal items and living spaces thoroughly. A combination of over-the-counter treatment, prescription medication, and professional lice removal services can be considered, depending on the severity of the infestation.

Professional Lice Removal

Lice infestations are a common issue, especially among children, but that doesn’t mean they’re inevitable. However, if prevention methods fail and lice have taken residence in you or your child’s hair, it is imperative that steps be taken to stop the infestation before it gets worse. Do not waste time, money, and energy on cheap home remedies or harsh chemicals. Instead, you should seek professional help. Professional lice removal services are the most reliable way to eliminate lice in the shortest amount of time because lice removal experts use specialized tools and techniques to remove lice that are not available in stores.

Lice Treatment In Spartanburg, SC

As we discussed a moment ago, if you discover head lice present in your child’s hair, or anyone else in your household, you should take action immediately to prevent further spread. The Lice Clinics are professional lice treatment clinics with locations in Greenville, Anderson, and Spartanburg, SC that are fully staffed and equipped to help you eradicate lice infestations. By using their proprietary Lice Tech treatment, The Lice Clinics can guarantee 100% removal of all lice, nymphs, and nits in just one visit. For more information, or to schedule an appointment, please visit our website today.

What Do Lice Nits Look Like?

Lice nits, also known as louse eggs, are minuscule and notoriously pesky parasites that can infest human scalps. Identifying and understanding these tiny eggs is crucial in effectively combating and preventing the spread of lice. In this blog post, we will delve into the appearance of lice nits and provide useful tips for their identification.

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What Are Lice Nits?

Lice nits are the eggs laid by adult female lice, which are wingless insects that primarily infest the scalp. They attach their eggs firmly to the base of the hair shafts, close to the scalp, using a sticky substance secreted by the female louse. Lice nits are tiny, oval-shaped, and typically measure about 0.8 to 1.2 millimeters in length. They have a translucent appearance and may vary in color, ranging from off-white to yellowish-brown.

Where To Look For Lice Nits

To identify lice nits, it is important to know where to look for them. Female lice prefer warm areas close to the scalp to lay their eggs. Pay attention to the following areas:

Behind the Ears: The area behind the ears provides an ideal environment for lice nits due to its warmth and proximity to the scalp. Inspect this area thoroughly.

Nape of the Neck: Lice nits often cluster near the nape of the neck as it offers a warm and sheltered spot.

Hairline: Lice nits may be found along the hairline, particularly around the forehead and temples. They can be nestled against the hair strands, making them difficult to spot.

Crown of the Head: Lice nits can also be present on the crown of the head, especially if the infestation is severe. Check this area carefully.

Underneath the Hair: Lice nits are most commonly found within ¼ inch (or 0.6 cm) from the scalp. They attach themselves firmly to the hair shafts, close to the scalp, using a sticky substance secreted by the female louse.

It is important to note that lice nits are generally found within a few centimeters from the scalp and are less likely to be present on the ends of the hair strands. They have a preference for warm and protected areas where they can incubate and develop into nymphs.

When checking for lice nits, it is recommended to use a fine-toothed comb or a specialized lice comb. These combs can help separate the hair strands and facilitate the identification and removal of lice nits. Remember to inspect these areas thoroughly and be patient as lice nits can be challenging to spot due to their small size and resemblance to dandruff or other debris. It is also important to have good lighting to make sure you are able to see the nits clearly.

Identifying Lice Nits

Identifying lice nits can be a challenging task due to their small size and close resemblance to dandruff or other debris. However, there are some key characteristics that can help distinguish them:

Size and Shape: Lice nits are tiny, oval-shaped eggs that adhere tightly to the hair shafts. They are about the size of a pinhead and may appear as small white or yellowish specks.

Color: Lice nits can vary in color, ranging from off-white or cream to yellowish-brown. When freshly laid, they often appear lighter in color, and as they mature, they may darken.

Translucency: Lice nits have a translucent appearance, meaning they are semi-transparent. When held up to the light, they may have a slight shine or glow, making them stand out from surrounding debris such as dandruff or dirt.

Attachment: Unlike dandruff or other debris that can be easily flicked off, lice nits firmly attach themselves to the hair shafts near the scalp. They cannot be easily removed without using a fine-toothed comb or specific treatment methods, offered by professionals.

Indicators of Lice Infestation and Treatments

While identifying lice nits is essential, it’s important to consider other signs of lice infestation as well. These indicators can include:

Itching: Lice bites can cause itching and irritation on the scalp, often more noticeable behind the ears and at the nape of the neck.

Crawling Sensation: Some people may experience a crawling or tickling sensation on their scalp due to the movement of lice.

Adult Lice: Adult lice are about the size of a sesame seed and can sometimes be seen moving quickly on the scalp or hair.

What to Do if Lice Nits Are Found

If lice nits are identified, prompt action should be taken to address the infestation.

Wash and Clean Personal Items: Launder all bedding, clothing, and recently used personal items such as combs, hair accessories, and hats in hot water to kill any lice or remaining eggs.

Inform Close Contacts: Inform close contacts, especially those who have had direct head-to-head contact, to check for lice and treat themselves if necessary.

Consult a Professional: At The Lice Clinics, with convenient locations in Greenville, Anderson, and Spartanburg, we are here to help you become lice-free. When it comes to lice treatments, we are the experts. Having lice is extremely common and The Lice Clinics is here to make sure you do not suffer with them for too long. Our team offers multiple treatment plans. Our most popular plan utilizes a device called “Lice Tech”, a 100% guaranteed lice removal device. This device uses controlled heated air to dehydrate and kill lice and their nits. Given its effectiveness, you can leave our clinic assured that you and your family will be lice-free.

Looking for more information about our lice clinics? Contact our team of professionals today to find the best treatment plan for you.

8 Ways Lice Can Spread

Some caregivers know the struggle of the itching and scratching of their little ones. When they come home from school or daycare and are distraught over an irritated scalp. At first, it might not seem like anything too serious. But after a while, the child does not get better and after further investigation, they realize that something is definitely out of the ordinary.

Head lice, if left untreated, can become more than just a pesky condition some children will encounter at some point. They can multiply rapidly and worsen over time without the proper treatment and professional care.

While running to Google to find all the DIY treatments for head lice might seem like a good idea at first, we at The Lice Clinics strongly advise otherwise. We understand that it’s incredibly tempting to try out someone’s mayonnaise hack, but it’s not the best option for the infected individual. The key to treating head lice is timeliness and effectiveness, two things that the staff at any of our locations uphold the most. We offer an array of treatment options including our signature Lice Tech device, which is 100% guaranteed to eliminate head lice and their nits.

Head lice can be stressful and overwhelming, especially if you don’t know where to start. That is why it is important to gather as much information as you can from a professional source before committing to a treatment option.

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What Are Head Lice?

Before we go into detail about treatments and how to catch head lice, let’s go over the basics: what are they?

In scientific words, head lice are called pediculus humanus capitis. In simpler words: they are a parasite specifically found on the scalp that survives on a constant blood supply. They have six legs and attached to each is a c-like curve that allows them to grasp the hair shaft firmly. When fully grown, they are about the size of a sesame seed.

Super tiny.

Naturally, they are light in color, although studies have shown that they can match the hair color of the infected person. Meaning that if you have darker hair and catch head lice, they will be darker compared to someone with lighter hair.

As you noticed earlier, the word humanus is the Latin word for human. If your next thought is “Wait, lice aren’t just specific to humans?” You’d be correct.

Fun fact: your dogs and cats can catch lice too and no, they are not the same as fleas. Because lice are species-specific, this means that they only infect the individuals they are “wired” for. Essentially, the head lice humans get cannot be spread to dogs or cats and vice versa.

Female head lice tend to be larger than males, but they’re still difficult to see with the naked eye.

How Fast Does Lice Spread?

We talked about children getting head lice and the importance of caregivers seeking immediate care. Although they are the demographic most likely to catch head lice, the condition is not limited to just them.

Anyone of any age can catch head lice, although studies have shown that individuals of African American heritage and descent tend to be the least likely to be impacted.

A female head louse can lay about 6-10 nits, or eggs, a day and they have a life expectancy of around 30 days.

That’s a lot of eggs.

These nits are about the size of a knot in a piece of thread and are often confused for dandruff or water droplets on the scalp. Nits are often found at about ¼ of an inch above the scalp and after about 9 days they hatch into Nymphs.

Because they are so close to the scalp, it makes it nearly impossible to remove them with traditional hair tools or by simply washing your hair. Similarly, adult head lice are too small to be removed without the proper tools.

Now let’s say you’ve got 5 adult female head lice laying around 6-10 eggs a day, that gives you a pretty good idea as to how fast lice do spread.

Common Myths About Head Lice Transmission

One of the most common myths about lice transmission is the idea that you can catch lice from sharing hair tools or hats. Now, although it is possible it is not the most likely way you or someone you know caught head lice. So then, how does lice spread if it’s not through things that directly touch your scalp?

Direct head-to-head contact is how.

Head lice can’t jump like fleas. They have to spread by coming into direct contact with an infected individual. Most of the time this person is a close family friend or relative, someone you would naturally be in close proximity to more often throughout your daily life.

Remember how we talked about how head lice have those hook-like claws at the ends of each of their six legs? This is what prevents them from being easily washed or submerged away, which is another common myth.

We also stated that head lice and nymphs (baby lice) need a constant blood supply in order to survive. Without it, they will die in a few hours. This is why it’s unlikely that you will catch head lice from sharing hair tools. Nits will probably not be on those tools either, since they are found so close to the scalp.

On the other hand, some common ways of transmission include:

Slumber parties
Shared beds
Sport activities
Reading circles

The Lice Clinics Difference

We at The Lice Clinics in Greenville, Anderson, and Spartanburg pride ourselves on being the one-stop destination for all of your head lice concerns. We offer a variety of treatment options to fit a number of budgets to ensure that our clients can find the right plan for themselves and/or their families. Our device called the Lice Tech will ensure that every single adult head louse and their nits are eliminated and removed from your scalp, 100% guaranteed. We hope this knowledge you now have will help you be able to answer the question with confidence: how does lice spread? For further information or to schedule an appointment, please visit our website today!

Ineffective Lice Treatments To Avoid

Lice are pesky parasites that infest our heads, bringing discomfort, embarrassment, and often causing panic. In our haste to rid ourselves of these invaders, we may resort to treatments that promise fast and easy results. However, not all lice treatments are effective, and some may even pose risks to our health. This blog post will delve into some common lice treatments that prove ineffective and should be avoided.

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Over-the-counter Lice Shampoos and Sprays

Many over-the-counter (OTC) lice treatments seem appealing due to their easy accessibility and relatively low cost. The most common go-to OTC treatments are shampoos and sprays. The active ingredients in these treatments are usually chemicals called pyrethrins or permethrin. Both of these chemicals work by disrupting the nervous system of lice, leading to their death. To use these products, they are typically applied to the scalp and hair, left on for a certain period (usually about 10 minutes), and then washed out. Combing the hair with a special nit comb can help remove dead lice after treatment.

However, while OTC lice treatments can be somewhat effective for the time being, they are not foolproof. Over the past few decades, many lice populations have developed resistance to insecticides, making these treatments less effective. It is also important to note that OTC lice treatments are designed to kill live lice but are less effective at killing nits. This means that even after treatment, some eggs may survive and hatch, leading to a continuation of the infestation, and in most cases the repeated application of these treatments leads to scalp irritation and allergic reactions, making it crucial to consider alternatives. The only lice treatment that has proven to be 100% effective is physical removal by a professional lice clinic.

Home Remedies

In the world of social media and DIY solutions, numerous home remedies for lice infestation make their claims all across the web. Home remedies are traditional methods of treatment that rely on household items rather than commercial products. Here are some commonly suggested home remedies for lice treatment:

Coconut Oil: It is thought that applying items like coconut oil, or olive oil to the scalp and hair might suffocate lice. The hair is coated thoroughly with the oil, left on for several hours or overnight (usually with a shower cap), and then combed out to remove dead lice and eggs before washing.

Butter: Butter is also commonly suggested for the same reasons as coconut oil, but with the added effect of making your hair too slippery for lice to grip, and hopefully causing them to simply fall out of the hair.

Mayonnaise: Much like oil & butter, mayonnaise is also believed to suffocate lice if left on the hair for an extended period. Only the mayonnaise method offers you an easier application and an easier cleanup option afterward.

Vinegar: It’s often suggested that the acidity of vinegar can help loosen the glue-like substance that lice use to attach their eggs to hair shafts, making the nits easier to comb out.

Tea Tree Oil: Some people believe that tea tree oil can kill lice or repel them. It is usually mixed with a carrier oil like olive or coconut oil and applied to the scalp and hair.

Garlic: The strong fragrance of garlic is sometimes thought to repel lice. A paste is usually made from crushed garlic cloves and applied to the scalp.

Neem Oil: Neem oil has natural insecticidal properties, and some people use it to try to kill or repel lice.

While these home remedies may sound appealing due to their natural and accessible nature, it’s important to remember that scientific evidence supporting their effectiveness is often limited or inconsistent. They also often fail to kill or remove all lice and nits, leading to recurrent infestations. Moreover, some home remedies can be downright dangerous. For instance, applying flammable substances such as gasoline or kerosene to your scalp is incredibly risky and can result in severe burns. In general, it’s best to avoid these unproven and potentially dangerous methods.

Electric Combs

Electric combs are an alternative tool sometimes used in the battle against head lice. These devices function a bit like regular lice combs but with an added component: a small electric charge designed to zap and kill lice on contact. When you comb through the hair with an electric lice comb, it supposedly kills the lice without harming the person using it. The teeth of the comb are designed to detect and zap lice, killing or stunning them. Afterward, the lice and nits can be removed from the hair, similar to using a regular lice comb.

The proposed advantages of using an electric lice comb:

Chemical-Free: These devices don’t use any pesticides or harsh chemicals, making them a potential choice for those concerned about such substances.

Reusable: Unlike lice shampoos or lotions that can be used up, an electric lice comb can be used multiple times, as long as it’s cleaned properly between uses.

Immediate results: Users can see lice and nits being removed instantly, giving a sense of immediate progress in the treatment.

Despite these claims, however, there are some significant risks. Firstly, there is limited scientific evidence supporting the efficacy of electric combs. Although they might kill some lice, they may not be as effective against nits, which can lead to recurring infestations. Also, if the comb is not used thoroughly and correctly, some lice might be missed during combing. Furthermore, they can be more expensive than traditional combs or other OTC lice treatments. Plus, there’s that foreboding risk of electric shock if they are used improperly, such as on wet hair or in a humid environment.

Lice Treatment in Spartanburg, SC

Now that we’ve gone through the list of popular home remedies, the claims they make, and why you should avoid them, it is important to understand that the only way to guarantee the complete removal of a lice infestation is with physical removal by a professional. The Lice Clinics has treatment centers available in Greenville, Anderson, and Spartanburg, SC. Using our proprietary Lice Tech treatment, The Lice Clinics guarantee 100% removal of all head lice, and nits, with only one treatment. For more information about our treatment options and our clinics, please visit our website and schedule your first appointment today.

Can You Have Head Lice Without Knowing It?

Head lice, the tiny, elusive, and often unwelcome guests in our hair, have plagued humans for centuries. The thought alone of these minuscule insects crawling around the scalp is enough to make anyone feel that subtle, phantom itching sensation, but the reality is more common than you might think, especially among school-going children. These small critters are rather stealthy and have a knack for settling in without immediate detection. This leads to a question that often lurks in the minds of many parents: “Could you have head lice without realizing it?” In short, yes, it’s possible to have head lice without noticing any symptoms. In this blog, we will delve into the world of head lice to understand why these pests can invade your personal space unnoticed, the signs that might eventually give them away, and how to identify and eliminate these unwanted pests.

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Understanding Head Lice

First things first, let’s get acquainted with our tiny, uninvited guests. Head lice, known scientifically as Pediculus humanus capitis, are tiny insects that thrive in human hair. They are roughly the size of a sesame seed, usually light brown in color, and are specially adapted for mobility and grip on hair shafts. Their six legs end in hook-like claws that allow them to crawl and maneuver rapidly through the hair. Lice survive by feeding on human blood, extracting it through a bite that injects saliva into the scalp – this saliva causes the itchy reaction commonly associated with lice infestations. They have a short life cycle of approximately a month, during which female lice lay eggs, or nits, that hatch into nymphs before maturing into adults. Notably, head lice cannot fly or jump, and they are typically spread through direct, prolonged head-to-head contact. They aren’t a sign of poor hygiene, nor do they spread disease, but they can be a source of discomfort and social stigma.

Beginning of a Lice Infestation

The tricky part about a lice infestation is that you might not have any symptoms initially. This is because the process of the infestation occurs in stages, and it is not until several days, or even weeks, have passed before the symptoms begin to manifest. This is why checking for head lice on a regular basis is very important for prevention. The process often goes like this:

Transfer to a new host: A mature female louse finds a new host, often through direct head-to-head contact or sharing personal items like hats or hair brushes.

Egg-laying: Once she’s settled in, the female louse starts laying eggs, known as nits. She attaches these nits to hair shafts close to the scalp where it’s warm, ideal for their development. Each female louse can lay about six to ten eggs per day for approximately 16 days.

Hatching: After about 7 to 10 days, these nits begin to hatch into small hatchlings called nymphs.

Maturation: Over the next 10 days, these nymphs will feed, and grow and mature into adult lice to begin the process all over again.

Symptom development: During these initial stages, the host usually doesn’t feel anything. The itchy reaction associated with lice infestations, caused by an allergic reaction to louse saliva, doesn’t usually develop until the nymphs hatch and begin to grow and multiply, which can take several weeks.

Spread: This delay in symptom onset is often the reason their presence goes undetected, and it allows lice to multiply and spread before the host realizes they have an infestation.

Other Symptoms of Head Lice

Itching is the most common symptom of head lice, but it isn’t the only one. It’s easy to mistake the itching caused by a dry scalp or dandruff for a lice infestation. Therefore, you need to look out for other signs as well:

Nits on the hair shafts: Nits are lice eggs that appear as tiny yellow, brown, or tan dots before they hatch. They tend to stick around even after hatching, turning white and more noticeable. You can easily confuse them with dandruff, but unlike dandruff, you can’t brush them out easily.

Seeing lice on the scalp: It’s the most definitive sign of an infestation, but it’s also the hardest because of how fast and small lice are. They can zip from one hair strand to another in a blink and are pros at avoiding light.

Red bumps or sores from scratching: These often show up on the scalp, neck, and shoulders because of the constant scratching due to lice bites.

Feeling like something’s moving in the hair: Some people report a sensation of something moving in their hair or a tickling feeling.

Trouble sleeping: Head lice are more active in the dark, causing your symptoms to become more exacerbated during the late hours of the night, which might lead to disrupted sleep.

Feeling irritable: Persistent itching and discomfort, along with interrupted sleep can lead to emotional irritation and interfere with the host’s school, work, or daily activities.

If you or your child experience any of these symptoms, it’s time to play detective and begin your inspection. To confirm a lice infestation, you’ll need to do a thorough examination of the hair and scalp. Lice and nits love hanging out at the back of the head and behind the ears, so pay special attention to these areas. Good lighting and a fine-toothed comb will be your best friends in this mission. For school-going kids, regular head checks can help catch these parasites early and prevent a mass invasion.

Lice Treatment In Anderson, SC

Now that you know you can indeed have lice without noticing any head lice symptoms, you can start taking action by checking for head lice regularly, and treating infestations promptly by visiting a professional lice removal clinic. The Lice Clinics has treatment centers conveniently located in Greenville, Anderson, and Spartanburg, SC, and guarantee 100% lice removal in just one visit by using their proprietary Lice Tech treatment. For more information about our treatment options and our clinics, please visit our website and schedule your first appointment today.

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.