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Head Lice in Adults: How Common Is It?

Head Lice in Adults: How Common Is It?

Having lice as a kid is something that many people have in common. Coming back from summer camp with an itchy scalp or catching lice from a fellow student are some of the most common ways that lice spread among children. Though it may seem like head lice are a problem left in your past, these parasites are known for coming back when you least expect it. But can adults get head lice too? And how common are head lice in adults? Here is everything you need to know about how common head lice are in adults, and how you can get rid of them. 

Can Adults Get Head Lice

The simple answer is yes, adults can get lice. Head lice do not discriminate and anyone with hair on their head has an equal chance of becoming a host for these blood-sucking parasites. Though it may seem like head lice are only interested in the younger population, the truth of the matter is that kids put themselves at risk of catching head lice more often than adults do. Head lice require direct head-to-head contact to spread. It just so happens that young children are exposed to more of this direct contact than adults. Whether it be from huddling during a sports game, sharing hugs with friends, or resting their heads on a shoulder, children spend more time on average with large groups nearby than adults do. This is why head lice are such a big issue in schools, sports teams, and summer camps. But how do lice spread to the older population? 

How Do Lice Spread to Adults?

Although head lice appear more frequently among children than adults, the fact of the matter is that once a child brings head lice into the home, both parents and siblings are at risk of getting head lice. Once the lice are inside, they will not discriminate by age. In most cases, moms will get head lice before the dads. Having long hair can be nice, but it does not do you any favors when it comes to preventing lice. Moms typically spend more time in direct contact with their children than dads. Some scientists speculate that head lice have an aversion to testosterone, but this does not mean fathers can’t catch lice too. If your family is battling head lice, you can help prevent their spread by keeping your hair up and out of the way. Braids buns and ponytails work great for minimizing the area that head lice can latch on to. 

How Common are Head Lice in Adults?

As we get older we tend to spend less time in close quarters with other people. Though head lice do not have a preference when it comes to age, adults are simply at lower risk because of the adult lifestyle. Unlike children, many adults live alone or with a partner and regularly see just their coworkers, friends, and family. Head lice are even less common among senior citizens but unfortunately, this does not mean they are immune. 

Can Adults Without Children Get Lice?

As mentioned above, head lice do not discriminate based on age. Adults without kids can get head lice, they are just at lower risk. Traveling to other countries, taking group photos, and sitting next to people on planes are a few of the ways that head lice spread among adults. It can take up to two weeks for lice to start irritating the scalp, and in some cases, lice never start to itch at all. Anywhere that puts people in close head-to-head proximity can facilitate the spread of lice. The main reason that children have head lice more often than adults is that they spend significantly more time in close quarters with other people. 

How Do Adults Get Rid Of Lice?

Treating head lice for adults is the same as treating head lice for kids. At Fresh Heads Lice Removal, we offer several lice removal services. After an initial screening, we can help you decide which treatment option is right for you. We offer three treatment options. 

Traditional Comb-Out Services-

The most popular and well-known head lice treatment is the comb-out method. This process begins by sectioning the hair into several even parts. We begin by adding our signature detangler and combing out each section, one at a time. Once the process has been completed, we finish with our non-toxic rinse. 

The Do It Yourself Home Treatment Kit-

Our most affordable option, the Do-It-Yourself Lice Removal Kit, provides you with all of the topical treatment products you will need to fight a head lice infestation on your own. A professional lice comb, our signature detangler, and detailed instructions on how to perform the comb-out process will be included. If this option is selected, it is important to stay consistent with your head lice treatment for at least 10 days. 

AirAlle Treatment-

This three-step process is our most effective treatment option that guarantees a lice-free scalp in just one hour. The AirAlle releases heated air that dehydrates and loosens all of the lice and nits from the hair. After this 30-minute process, our head lice technicians will section the hair and comb out the dead lice. Finally, our Fresh Heads hair oil rinse will be applied to suffocate any remaining lice. After about ten minutes, we will wash out the rinse and you will be ready to return to everyday life. With a success rate of over 99%, this treatment option is guaranteed to leave your head lice-free. In the unlikely event of a treatment failure, your re-treatment will be on us.

Find Head Lice Treatment in Jacksonville Fl!

At Fresh Heads Lice Removal, our mission is to get rid of lice in schools across the United States. We specialize in the treatment and removal of head lice without the use of any harmful chemicals. Our AirAlle head lice machine allows us to offer a guaranteed, same-day treatment that will have you ready to return to normal life in just under an hour and a half. If you would like to learn more about our treatment options, and how lice are spread, get in contact with us today or visit us at one of our locations in Jacksonville FL, Orlando FL, and Savannah GA.

Schools Without Lice.

Schools Without Lice

At Fresh Heads Lice Removal, our mission is to get rid of lice in schools across the United States. We’ve partnered with the Lice Clinics of America to create the Schools Without Lice program. Through this program, we provide school nurses and teachers with free screenings, resources, and treatments. Together, we can have schools without lice!

What Do Parents Need to Know About Super Lice?

What Do Parents Need to Know About Super Lice?

When the word “super” is in front of the name of a bug, it automatically makes you know it’s not your average insect. Superbugs, or types of bacteria, viruses, parasites, etc. that can’t be resolved with medication, are a major public health hazard because they are hard to treat. As superbugs have evolved, they have grown more and more resistant — causing the medical community to constantly search for new ways to deal with widespread common illnesses. 

Lice are no exception to superbugs. Known as super lice, these pests are notorious for being difficult to get rid of. In this guide, you’ll learn everything you need to know about detecting and treating super lice. 

What Are Super Lice? 

If you’re a parent, you’ve undoubtedly heard of head lice. They are blood-sucking, small insects that can either be a gray color or red and live in hair almost anywhere on the body. Their eggs, called nits, are tiny and easily confused for a dry scalp or dandruff. Super lice have the same body structure, color, and characteristics as typical lice but are resistant to most common lice treatments. 

Because of this, doing regular lice checks for school-age children or people that are around large crowds is vital. Kids can get head lice from head-to-head contact, usually at school, after-school clubs, or other large gatherings.  

Why Are Super Lice More Common Now Than In The Past? 

The term “super lice” was coined after a study published in 2015 discovered that head lice were beginning to become resistant to the chemicals used in lice treatment. At this point, treatment-resistant lice were only identified in 25 states in the U.S. Researcher Kyong Yoon, PhD, who was a part of the American Chemical Society and on staff at Southern Illinois University, Edwardsville at the time of the research, was the first to report this phenomenon in the 21st century. Previous research was much smaller than the 109 lice populations surveyed by Yoon and his team. 

Super lice are the most resistant to pyrethroids, which are chemicals found frequently in bug sprays and insecticides. While they effectively treat some types of lice, long-term exposure can be potentially hazardous to your health. 

But what causes this level of resistance? Like many antibiotics used to treat viruses, lice develop a sort of “immunity” against medications after being exposed to them for an extended period of time. Unfortunately, this is becoming more common as time goes on.  

Now, almost 10 years after Yoon’s study in 2015, they are present in all 48 contiguous states. 

What Are The Symptoms Of Super Lice? 

While the most common symptom associated with the presence of lice is an itchy head, itching can sometimes take weeks to be present. In the meantime, the lice infestation can grow exponentially. 

Other symptoms of super lice are 

    • White or gray “flakes” on the scalp: Lice are often confused with dandruff. If you notice that your scalp is extra itchy and dry, or see white or gray flakes that aren’t usually there, check for lice immediately. 
    • A rash: It’s normal for a rash to develop when you have lice. Red, itchy bumps will appear, especially if you’re scratching your head frequently or the lice are left untreated for a long time. These rashes can lead to swollen lymph nodes or sores near the edges of the hair. In some cases, it even leads to infection. 
    • Trouble sleeping: Because lice are the most active at night and in low light, you might have difficulty falling or staying asleep. Going without sleep can lead to increased anxiety, depression, fatigue, and other mental or physical health struggles.

If your child begins to experience any of these symptoms, get checked for lice as soon as possible. Using a fine-tooth comb or a magnifying glass, look closely at the scalp to see if you can see small, moving insects or nits crawling around. 

How Are They Treated? 

Here’s what you need to know about treating super lice: 

  • Trying to eliminate lice with a fine-tooth comb is not only time-consuming, but it is also ineffective. While you may remove many of the adult bugs and most nits, if you miss just one nit, the infestation continues.
  • Lice cannot survive off of their host, so while you may feel inclined to wash sheets and clothes, driving yourself crazy isn’t totally necessary. Lice need blood to survive, so they will die within 3-4 days without it. 
  • Over-the-counter (OTC) products will not work. In fact, the toxins and chemicals in these treatments can be harmful to your child. These treatments are ineffective against super lice — leaving many parents at a loss of what to do. 

Since the discovery of super lice, professionals have had to develop more intense head lice treatment methods. Despite their name, they aren’t indestructible. One of the best treatment methods for super lice is AirAllé. This treatment lasts about 30 minutes and uses a hairdryer-like device to blow the lice outside the insulating layer of the hair, which is the closest layer to the scalp. You can get this treatment at one of our conveniently located lice removal clinics. 

How Do I Find A Lice Removal Clinic? 

If your child has super lice, finding head lice treatment can be a challenge. 

Fresh Heads Head Lice Treatment Center is a lice removal clinic in Orlando, FL. Since we opened, we’ve been winning awards for our top-of-the-line care. With offers like a 45-day re-treatment policy and the quickest single lice removal treatment available, you can’t go wrong. In just under 90 minutes, your family can be lice-free. Plus, there’s no additional follow-up needed. Contact us today to schedule an appointment.

Schools Without Lice.

Schools Without Lice

At Fresh Heads Lice Removal, our mission is to get rid of lice in schools across the United States. We’ve partnered with the Lice Clinics of America to create the Schools Without Lice program. Through this program, we provide school nurses and teachers with free screenings, resources, and treatments. Together, we can have schools without lice!

How to Lower Your Odds of Getting Infested With Head Lice

How to Lower Your Odds of Getting Infested With Head Lice

Head lice is an inconvenient problem that can affect everyone specifically school-aged children. Because these young children interact so closely with one another, one child with head lice that comes in close head-to-head contact with others could leave their friends with the same issue, bringing rise to a lice infestation!

What to Do If You Suspect Your Child Has Head Lice

If you have a child that has caught head lice from someone at school, don’t worry! Luckily, lice don’t spread all that easily and there are measures you can take to prevent other people in your home from becoming infested as well. Keep reading as we shed some light on the precautions you can take until the infestation is cleared after head lice treatment.

1 – Take Early Action

Parents who hear about a lice problem spreading in their child’s school may want to take early action to prevent the spread from happening in their own home. One of the best ways that residents of Jacksonville, Orlando, and Savannah can do this is by getting a lice Protection Plan offered by Fresh Heads Lice Removal. All for one price, this ensures your child and any other family members on the plan receive a monthly head check and, if needed, treatment.

2 – Talk to Your Child

It’s important to sit down and talk to your child about their head lice. Inform them about the measures you’re going to take and make it clear that they can contribute to the prevention of spreading lice by avoiding head-to-head contact. If they’ve been confirmed to have lice and will be undergoing treatment, it’s important that you help them understand what this treatment will entail. Fortunately, comb-outs and dry heat treatment options such as our signature AirAllé are painless, fast, and convenient.

How to Lower Your Odds of Getting Infested with Lice

There’s really only one step to keep from getting infested with lice and it’s avoiding head-to-head contact. If anyone in your household or in your child’s class has head lice, make sure no one comes in close contact until they have been confirmed lice-free!

Work with a Professional

If you’ve heard that there’s a lice outbreak at your child’s school, you may be able to take action before the situation escalates, especially in your own home. Avoiding head-to-head contact with any affected individuals will greatly decrease your chances of getting lice.

If someone in your household is suspected to have lice, be sure to have a plan in place. It’s best to seek professional treatment such as a comb-out or, even better, find a specialist near you that offers AirAllé treatment which is non-toxic and involves the application of warm, dry hair to kill all nits and lice.

Head Lice Treatment in Jacksonville, FL

Should you ever need head lice treatment, Fresh Heads Lice Removal can help you! We will ensure you become lice free with the use of our DA-Cleared AirAllé® which kills both lice and their eggs. Come in and get rid of your head lice today!

Schools Without Lice.

Schools Without Lice

Our mission at Fresh Heads Lice Removal is to eradicate lice from schools across the US. We’re partnering with the Lice Clinics of America to create a Schools Without Lice program. Through this program, we provide school nurses and teachers with free resources, screenings, and treatments. If we work together, we can have schools without lice!

Hidden Costs of At-Home Lice Treatments

The Hidden Costs of At-Home Lice Treatments

At first glance, it may seem less expensive to purchase an at-home over the counter lice medication or shampoo for your child, rather than spending money on professional treatments from lice treatment services. However, many parents are surprised when they realize that OTC bottles of lice treatments often come with hidden expenses of their own. Below, we’ll examine two factors you may not have considered about at-home lice treatment costs.

The “Re-purchase Factor”

Many parents choose to use at home OTC lice treatments for their child. They are often under the impression that they are more convenient and less expensive to use when compared to professional lice treatment cost. However, many at-home lice treatments, such as homeopathic solutions, are not as effective as professional services. They often require re-treatment, which means re-purchasing the product, and more money spent.

Lost Wages from Missing Work

Another expense that parents seldom factor into lice treatment cost is the potential lost income from missing work. Parents will miss more work when treating their child at-home because non-professional treatments require more time for the eradication of the lice. This is especially problematic for parents without sick leave. If a parent can attend work, they may have to factor added child-care expenses into the lice treatment cost as well.

Fresh Heads Lice Removal, A Cost-Effective Solution

Our professional technicians and experts take a safe, effective, and affordable approach to lice treatment. We stop lice in their tracks using AirAllé®, a completely safe FDA cleared medical device, so that we can help your child return to life as normal as quickly as possible. AirAllé® kills lice and lice eggs through dehydration, and a single one-hour treatment kills head lice and 99.2% of lice eggs. Because the AirAllé® device is so effective at killing lice eggs, the chances of your child needing a follow-up treatment nearly zero.

At Fresh Heads, we believe that effective lice treatment doesn’t have to be expensive. We offer a flat rate and a 45-day re-treatment guarantee so that you can be confident that you are receiving the best value. We pride ourselves on being a lice service that your family can rely on for the safe diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of lice. To learn more about our list of services and featured products, contact one of our Jacksonville, FL, Orlando, FL, or Savannah, GA Fresh Heads locations today!

 


Schools Without Lice.

Fresh Heads Lice Removal Partners with Lice Clinics of America for Schools Without Lice!

At Fresh Heads Lice Removal, we want to keep our children safe in schools across the country, which is why we have partnered with Lice Clinics of America, on the Schools Without Lice program. Our goal is to completely eradicate lice in schools from Florida to California, and everywhere in between. By supporting our educators, we can take another step toward creating schools without lice.

 

 

Can Head Lice Transmit Disease?

Can Head Lice Transmit Disease?

It’s common for parents to become concerned when they learn that their child has head lice. But beyond being a huge nuisance, can head lice transmit disease or pose a health risk? Rest assured, the CDC says there are no reliable data to suggest that head lice carry or transmit disease organisms.

However, DNA technology has shown that head lice are the same species as the body louse which has long been associated with diseases such as typhus and relapsing fever. While this may suggest that it is possible for head lice to carry diseases, no cases have been reported. Here are some other important myth-busting facts to know about head lice treatment.

Myth: Swimming in the Pool Will Kill Head Lice.

Fact: Swimming in a chlorinated pool or hot tub will not kill head lice, unfortunately. Lice are very hearty pests that can survive in water and resist most chemicals, including chlorine. Since they are firmly attached to the hair, it will also have no impact on killing the nits or eggs.

Myth: Home Remedies are Effective in Treating Head Lice.

Fact: This myth is untrue and potentially unsafe. Home remedies that involve wrapping the head with substances like olive oil, butter or coconut oil in attempt to “smother” lice are not effective. They may even lead to injury and suffocation in small children. More alarming is the myth that hazardous substances such as gasoline or kerosene can kill lice. These substances are highly toxic and flammable and should never be used on a person.

Myth: Over-the-Counter Products are the Best Solution.

Fact: Not true. Research has clearly shown that pesticide-based head lice treatments are hazardous to your health and ineffective. Most contain dangerous synthetic chemicals called pyrethroids. The two most commonly found in OTC lice treatment products are permethrin and lindane. These chemicals have been proven to be toxic and have alarming side effects such as allergic reactions, wheezing, skin burning and behavioral problems.

AirAllé at Fresh Heads Lice Treatment Centers

Treating head lice safely, quickly and effectively is what every parent wants. With Fresh Heads’ signature AirAllé treatment, it’s possible. AirAllé is FDA-cleared and proven to be safe and effective at killing and removing lice and their eggs. Our rate of efficacy is 99.2%— far higher than that of over-the-counter head lice treatments. We can treat your child’s head lice in as little as one hour and back it with a 45-day retreatment policy. Call one of our locations today to learn more.

head lice and the holidays

Preventing Head Lice Over the Holidays

Head lice in children is an issue that doesn’t take a break for the holidays. In fact, the holiday season is prime time for family gatherings, meaning there’s a real risk of coming into contact with affected individuals and catching head lice. This is one “gift” that nobody wants! So here is some information on just how naughty lice can be, and why getting them is definitely not nice:

How Head Lice is Contracted

Lice require head to head contact in order to spread. So the critters can’t jump from one person to another, and even wearing hats and clothes used by those who had lice isn’t a major risk.

For kids, head to head contact can involve playing with lice-infested peers, huddling together, or dozing off in close proximity with them during sleepovers or afternoon naps.

How to Check for Head Lice

Louses (adult lice) are quite small and fast-moving. They tend to avoid light and don’t stay on the outer layers of one’s hair. This can make them especially difficult to spot. Common symptoms of head lice in children and adults include itchy scalps (though this is shared with dandruff, eczema and other conditions). If you want to find out for certain, you’ll have to:

  • Sit the child in a brightly lit room.
  • Spread his or her hair apart and look at the scalp to find lice and nits.
  • Lice eggs, called nits, are tiny white or cream-colored and oval-shaped, like beads, and are attached to the hair at their base, near the scalp. They can be mistaken for dandruff or dirt. If it’s easily removable then it’s probably not a nit.
  • Comb through the hair in small sections, systematically, to find and remove lice or nits.

If you find lice and nits, check everyone else in the house to be sure the infestation hasn’t spread.

How to Get Rid of Head Lice

Over the counter medications usually involve harsh chemicals that have alarming side effects. Moreover, we now have Super Lice, which are drug-resistant and can’t be killed by OTC head lice treatments.

This is why Fresh Heads Lice Removal stands by AirAllé— The Best Way to Get Rid of Head Lice. It is a completely non-toxic, FDA-cleared and science-based method that kills lice and eggs using heat, air flow, time and technique – dehydrating lice and ending infestations. No more wasting time and money on ineffective OTC treatments or messy in-home mobile lice services.

What about Natural Treatments and Home Remedies?

The herbal route avoids the dangers of pesticides, but these concoctions mainly repel lice and don’t do much when the buggers are already on the scalp. They’re not very good at killing them and do nothing to kill nits.

 

Home remedies, on the other hand, are unproven and unreliable. Hair dyes are ineffective. As are hair straightening treatments.

Other Advice to Limit Lice

If someone has an infestation, wash their clothing, towels, linens, hats, etc. in hot water and dry them in high heat. It is very unlikely that lice will be spread by bedding, clothing or linens, but it’s better to be safe than sorry!

Unwashable items can be stored in sealed plastic bags for a couple of weeks, which will starve lice to death.

Happy Lice-Free Holidays

Finding head lice doesn’t mean the holiday festivities have to stop! At Fresh Heads Lice Removal Clinics, we can take get rid head lice and their eggs in a single, chemical-free treatment with no follow up necessary. Don’t waste your time with over the counter treatments or sit around waiting and hoping a mobile lice treatment service will actually show up on time just so they can take over your kitchen or living room for hours. If you find lice call Fresh Heads today and we’ll have you back sipping eggnog and eating gingerbread cookies in no time.

So may you and your family have a very merry and lice-free holiday season!

Head Lice Exposure

Will My Kids Get Lice if They Are Exposed to It?

At some point throughout the day, you or a loved one has probably brushed against another person. For example, on a school bus, at the gym, or during a meeting. A lot of head lice salons will tell you that simply being around someone with head lice is enough to catch it from them. The reality is that head lice are mostly spread by direct head to head contact. That being said, what are the chances of catching head lice if you are exposed to someone who is infested?

What is Exposure?

You brushed against someone in public or you received a letter from your child’s school regarding a head lice infestation. There will always be a risk of head lice exposure. The good news is most of the time it requires hair-to-hair contact.

Contrary to popular belief, Head lice cannot jump. These parasites can only crawl on human hair and scalps – they are physically unable to hop around.

It is also uncommon to catch head lice from objects. The CDC says that contracting lice from exposure through clothes, hats and other attire worn by another person is rare. The same applies to combs, brushes, towels, even beds, and couches. Though the risk is low, it’s best not to share such items and disinfecting them is still recommended.

Steps to Take Being Exposed to Head Lice

There was hair-to-hair contact. Now what?

Most head lice cases aren’t diagnosed until several weeks after exposure, without professional help from head lice salons.

Some cases can be determined with the naked eye immediately upon exposure. If a female louse climbs from one head to another they are typically visible and can be diagnosed straight away. Lice tend to crawl from the hair shaft to the scalp quickly, where they are harder to spot. Once they reach the scalp they begin laying eggs, or nits. Later in the lice’s 30-day lifespan they will crawl back to the hair shaft and prepare to transfer to another person.

Diagnosing lice can take a few weeks without professional help. This is when a lot of nits in the hair are visible and begin hatching. Lice eggs are camouflaged in the hair and can be mistaken for dandruff or dirt. It takes experience, lighting, and tools to spot them early.

Finding the Right Local Head Lice Salon

Thankfully, you can get rid of lice quickly without bombarding your hair with powerful chemicals. At Fresh Heads Lice Removal, we use our revolutionary, FDA-cleared medical device, The AirAllé® Machine to remove head lice and their eggs using only warm air.

The Signature AirAllé treatment at Fresh Heads Lice Removal is a science-based treatment that is proven to work even on pesticide-resistant Super Lice! It eliminates lice and eggs by using a precise combination of heat, airflow, time and technique to dehydrate them. No chemicals, no toxins, and no scary side effects.

Do not settle for ineffective, chemically invasive products or messy in-home treatments when treating lice. Contact the professionals at Fresh Heads today for proven, effective head lice treatment.

young children playing outside in Jacksonville

How to Get Rid of Head Lice Safely and Quickly

Everyone wants to get rid of head lice as quick as possible, but they can be persistent little buggers! Many people turn to shampoos and other chemical methods that can not only be harsh, but are becoming less effective.  So with these chemical-based treatments becoming less effective, what is the best way to get rid of head lice safely and quickly?

The AirAllé® Machine Is the Most Effective Way to Get Rid of Head Lice

Fresh Heads’ AirAllé® machine is an FDA-cleared medical machine that is highly effective at killing head lice and their eggs in one treatment. It has proven to be 99.2% in a single treatment, and it does it without any chemicals or pesticides! The AirAllé® machine blasts lice and their eggs with carefully controlled warm air. This dehydrates and ultimately kills the lice and their eggs. This simple method is not only safer than chemical treatments ands shampoos, it is much more effective.

Winning the War Against Lice

According to the CDC, 6 million to 12 million children in the U.S. get head lice every year. Head lice affect everyone regardless of gender, race, cleanliness, or wealth. Unfortunately, the old, chemical-based methods for removing lice backfired and created a new form of pesticide-resistant lice known as Super Lice. In Scientific American’s aptly titled article, Revenge of the Super Lice: “Overexposure to insecticides has bred resistance in the parasites, making it harder than ever to treat infestation.”

Head lice are no laughing matter. The longer they’re there on the scalp, the more uncomfortable it gets. Worse yet, more people will be at risk if the lice and their eggs aren’t removed as soon as possible.

The AirAllé® treatment is equally effective against regular head lice and these pesticide-resistant Super Lice.

Call Fresh Heads to Get Rid of Head Lice Quickly and Safely

Are you wary of chemical treatments or have you tried them already? Chemical treatments, hair dyes, home remedies, and other untested techniques can range from simply ineffective to downright dangerous. Fresh Heads Lice Treatment Centers are here for you with a safe, effective alternative that is 100% chemical-free. Our AirAllé® treatment is 99.2% effective at killing head lice and their eggs in one treatment. Call us today to schedule your appointment!

Students Raising Hands in classroom

Preventing Head Lice at School – What You Need to Know

The CDC reports that 6 million to 12 million children in the U.S., from ages 3 to 11, get head lice every year. Worse yet, chemical-based methods of lice removal are becoming less effective, as Scientific American’s article on the Revenge of the Super Lice says that: “Overexposure to insecticides has bred resistance in the parasites, making it harder than ever to treat infestation.” So the best way to beat the little critters is to prevent head lice in the first place.

In the case of children, school is where they are most often exposed to head lice. Kids and parents alike should take precautionary measures to minimize the risk. Here are some simple steps you can take to prevent head lice:

Avoid Head-to-Head Contact to Prevent Head Lice

Direct head to head contact with a lice-infested person is the primary way lice is spread. So warn kids to avoid that kind of contact while they’re playing, especially if they know that a friend has head lice or it has been found at their school. No one can tell at first glance who has lice, though, so it’s better to be safe than sorry.

Routine Head Checks

Check on your kid once a week or so to see if there are any signs of infestations. It can take up to 6 weeks for the itching to start, so don’t wait for that. Look for nits, lice eggs attached to strands of hair. Particles that are easily removed are probably dandruff or lint. Nits are glued to the hair shaft at the base and are not easily moved or removed. Lice especially favor the back hairline and behind the ears.

Early detection is essential for early treatment. It can help prevent head lice from spreading to other kids at school.

Click here for a video tutorial on how to check for head lice.

It’s Very Hard to Get Lice by Sharing Clothes, Hats, Etc.

It is actually uncommon for lice to transfer to another person by sharing clothing, hats and other attire with someone who has lice. It is also extremely rare for lice to be spread via combs, brushes, towels, bedding, carpets, pillows or couches.

With that said, it’s still a safe practice to avoid sharing such items like this with someone who has lice. It’s not a major risk, but it can happen. Items that have been in contact with lice-infested individuals can be disinfected simply. Combs and brushes can be soaked in hot water for 5-10 minutes. Clothing can be machine washed with hot water and high heat drying cycle.

Get in Touch

Worried about a head lice outbreak? Broach the subject with your Parent-Teacher Association, talk about it with teachers or nurses. Prevention is made much easier when others are in on it, especially if they can educate the other kids on how to avoid head lice. The risk of infestation can drastically go down when everyone’s involved.

Know That EVERYONE Can get Head Lice Regardless of Wealth or Cleanliness

Parents who know their kids have lice might be ashamed to bring it up or ask for help from the school nurse or other parents. Affected kids themselves might feel ashamed about it and hide their symptoms as long as possible. So it’s important, especially for children, not to look down on those affected with head lice or treat them badly. Those with infestations shouldn’t think less of themselves either, since it’s a treatable condition that nearly everyone goes through in their life.

Being open about the subject will help prevention and make it easier for those affected to ask for the treatment they need.

Contact a Professional Lice Treatment Clinic if You Find Lice

If you don’t detect any lice, then you’ve done a good job at prevention. But if you detect any lice or nits, call Fresh Heads today to schedule an appointment. We remove lice and their eggs in about 90 minutes, guaranteed, with our FDA-cleared, 100% chemical-free AirAllé machine!

a girl receives the AirAllé head lice treatment

What is the Best Lice Treatment?

There are all sorts of lice treatments floating around out there, but which is the best? It can be difficult to choose between pesticide products, herbal products, or even physical treatments. The best lice treatment has to be both safe and effective. Something that you and your child can confidently use without worrying about repeat infestation or nasty side effects. So out of all of the options available, which is the best lice treatment?

Common but Dangerous Pesticide Products

Insecticides were first introduced in the 20th century as an alternative way to treat head lice. Unfortunately, lice are very quick to adapt. This has led to pesticide resistant lice, also called super lice. These super lice have spread to 48 states, including Georgia and Florida! They have at least three genetic mutations making them resistant to most over the counter treatments.

Besides the growing ineffectiveness of pesticides, these products are also potentially dangerous. Many contain pyrethrin and pyrethroids, which are commonly used in bug sprays like Raid. Extracted from chrysanthemum flowers, these chemicals are potentially dangerous. They have been proven to be carcinogenic and even neurologically damaging when absorbed by the skin!

The Efficacy of Herbal Lice Treatments

With all the dangers of pesticides, it might seem much more appealing to go the herbal route. The problem is that herbal treatments function mainly by repelling lice. They aren’t the best lice treatment because they are less effective at killing lice. Not only that, but they leave the nits, or eggs, intact.

Herbal remedies are most effective when combined with other methods. They can be used to help prevent future infestations, but they are not effective at killing lice and their eggs if you have an infestation.

Is AirAllé the Best Lice Treatment?

The AirAllé treatment is a completely chemical free, all-natural head lice treatment that has proven to be the most effective. Not only does it kill head lice, it dries out and destroys their eggs to prevent the infestation from continuing. The process is simple. Heated air is used to dehydrate both lice and their eggs. The efficacy rate of this method is almost 100%. Usually taking about an hour, it is much quicker than most other treatments. This is especially true when you consider the fact that most other methods require follow-up treatments! The AirAlle treatment is the best lice treatment available to parents.

Get in Touch with the Pros for the Best Lice Treatment in Savannah

You don’t need to resort to dangerous chemicals or ineffective home remedies to get rid of lice. At Fresh Heads Head Lice Treatment Centers, we have trained professionals that can help you. If you are looking for the best lice treatment in Savannah, Orlando, Jacksonville, or Jacksonville beach, Call us today to schedule your appointment!