Head Lice Facts

Girls with stuffed Louse at clinic

There is a lot of confusion about head lice. Don't worry, they don't jump, fly, or swim! Head lice can be bothersome, but they are not dangerous to your health. Below is some information to assist you in understanding the REAL facts of lice.

Head lice shampoos can be highly toxic for your child, and new strains of super lice are immune to the chemicals in over-the-counter shampoos

Head lice cannot live on your pets

Head lice cannot live and breed in your environment i.e., couches, carpets, cars, movie theaters, airplanes

Head lice are not signs of unwashed hair-they thrive in clean hair rather than dirty hair

Head lice crosses all socioeconomic boundaries

According to the national association of school nurses (ANSN) children miss 12-24 million days of school per year due to head lice

Longer hair is more susceptible in contracting head lice

Head lice thrive equally in warm and cold climates

Head lice cannot jump or fly

DO'S

Inform your school and friends, and extracurricular activities you have head lice to avoid reinfestation

Daily wash only the clothing, bedding, brushes, and hair accessories used during your head lice infestation

Once lice are detected have your entire household screened

Relax and take a deep breath!

DO NOT'S

Replace your furnishings including your mattress

Wash your entire wardrobe

Use toxic products

Cut your hair or pour oil, Vaseline, mayonnaise, or vinegar on it

Set your house on fire

Panic!

WHO'S AT RISK?

80% of the time the person with head lice will pass the infestation on to their siblings

70% of the time mothers contract head lice from their children

20% of the time fathers contract head lice from their children

35% of the time nannies contract head lice

LIFE CYCLE

head lice life cycle circle chart

Nits (Lice Eggs)

Nits are head lice eggs. They are hard to see and are often confused for dandruff or hair spray droplets. Nits may be found at the base of the hair shaft nearest the scalp. They are 0.8 mm by 0.3 mm, oval and usually brownish in color. Nits take about 1 week to hatch (range 6 to 9 days).

Nymphs

The egg hatches to release a nymph. The nymph looks like an adult head louse but is about the size of a pinhead. Nymphs mature after three molts and become adults about 7 days after hatching.

Adults

The adult louse is about the size of a sesame seed, has 6 legs (each with claws, yikes!!)- and is tan to grayish-white . In persons with dark hair, the adult louse will appear darker. The females can lay up to 8 nits per day. Adult lice can live up to 30 days (about 4 and a half weeks) on a person's head. To live, adult lice need to feed on blood several times daily. Without blood meals, the louse will die within 1 to 2 days off the human host.

 

Homecare Process

Relax, you do not need to dissect your home and clean every crevasse. Gone are the days of bagging up everything you own and hiding it away in the basement for weeks.  We will walk you through a much simpler home care process. After all... WE MAKE LICE EASY!