Posts

How to Care for Your Head Post Lice Treatment

How to Care for Your Head Post Lice Treatment

/in /by

Many people think their experience with head lice is over once they have received treatment. While receiving treatment for head lice is the best way to ensure the problem doesn’t persist, it is wise to take preventative measures to avoid contracting lice again. 

What Happens After Lice Treatment?

The AirAlle treatment used at Fresh Heads Lice Removal uses warm air to kill head lice and nits (lice eggs). The treatment is thoroughly applied throughout the scalp, killing all the lice and nits with warm air- this process takes around half an hour. A lice comb will then be used to meticulously comb through the hair to ensure all head lice and nits are removed from the hair and scalp. 

The patented AirAlle treatment technology used at Fresh Heads Lice Removal guarantees that clients leave lice-free the same day as their treatment. Wondering what could happen after lice treatment is common. It is vital to make sure your scalp is lice-free before continuing in everyday activities around people. If you follow directions from our highly trained and professional staff after your treatment, you should be good to go. 

How to Reduce Your Risk of Catching Lice

There isn’t a way to 100% lice-proof yourself, but there are steps you can take to reduce the chances of catching head lice. Lice is spread by head-to-head contact, so the most effective way of preventing it is to avoid touching heads or hair with others who may be lice hosts. If you have longer hair, it is recommended to wear it pulled up or back to help avoid contact with others. Another method of deterring lice is using scents/oils such as mint, rosemary, and citronella. Lice find these scents unpleasant and are naturally deterred by them.

Check for Lice Weekly

One of the best ways to stay on top of a lice problem after treatment is by regularly performing lice checks. Using a lice comb or fine-toothed comb, separate the hair and comb down a section from the root to the end of the hair. Examine the scalp and comb for any lice or nits. Nits will not immediately fall off of a hair follicle. They are stuck on and require a little more effort to remove than a typical piece of dandruff that easily flakes off the scalp/hair.

Hassle-Free Lice Removal in Savannah, GA

If you need head lice removal in Savannah, GA, call or visit Fresh Heads Lice Removal for help. Our AirAlle lice treatment guarantees you or your loved one will leave our facility lice-free, with no need for multiple chemical treatments. We also provide a 45-day post-treatment guarantee that you will remain lice-free for a period after the treatment. Come see us for stress-free head lice removal in Savannah, GA, or at our other two locations in Jacksonville, FL, and Orlando, FL. 

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!

Does race and hair type matter?

Does race and hair type matter?

/in /by

While this may seem like a silly question to some, it is one of the most lice-related searches on the internet. When it comes to trying to find a new host, lice aren’t picky, and will at least attempt to spread to any race, gender, or hair type they can, but as turns out there is a reason behind this rumor. The question everyone is asking is, ‘can black people get lice in their hair?’

Can black people get head lice?

The short answer is yes. But it is highly unlikely. According to a study done in the ’80s, about ten percent of white children got lice, while a mere 0.3% of African Americans got lice. The misconception makes more sense when looking at those numbers, but what is causing this massive difference? It all comes down to hair type. According to Dr. Dale Clayton, the inventor of the AirAlle Head lice treatment device, “African-American hair is shaped differently than Caucasian, Hispanic, or Asian hair, and lice have a hard time getting their grasping hooks around the shaft.” Because lice have adapted to specifically being able to crawl along the shaft of the hair, where they lay their eggs, having these uniquely shaped hairs often prevents black people from getting lice, or at least for keeping them for very long. 

Even though it is unlikely, that doesn’t mean you don’t have to worry when you or your child is exposed to head lice. It is always important to check, especially if someone in your child’s class or friend group has been diagnosed. It may be unlikely, but it’s always better to be safe than sorry.

Does hair type change anything?

But what about all of the other hair types? Because Caucasian people get head lice the most, many people think that perhaps lice prefer lighter hair. The truth of the matter is that lice don’t care if your hair is thick or thin, straight or curly, blonde or black, they just like hair. There are just as many lice in blonde hair as there are in any other type of hair. If the head lice are capable of attaching to your hair, they will. Their only objective is to find a hair strand that will allow them to crawl down to the scalp so they can get their food and lay their eggs. Parasites don’t tend to be picky eaters. 

Fresh Heads Lice Removal

No matter your race or hair type, if you or someone you know has been exposed to head lice, don’t hesitate to make time for a thorough check. Fresh Heads Lice Removal clinic in Savannah is a company dedicated to removing head lice quickly so that you can return to normal life as soon as possible. Here at Fresh Heads, we specialize in non-chemical lice treatment and guarantee a lice-free scalp in a single visit to one of our locations in Jacksonville, FL, Orlando, FL, and Savannah, GA. If you have any more questions concerning head lice, visit our website at https://freshheadsliceremoval.com. 

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!

Head lice vs Body Lice

Are Head Lice the Same as Body Lice?

/0 Comments/in /by

The short answer is no, head lice and body lice have similar characteristics, but they are not the same. It helps to know the difference before scheduling an appointment at your nearest head lice center. After all, the treatment for one type of lice won’t work for the other. Here are some tips for distinguishing head lice from body lice:

Their Appearance

  • Head Lice

Adults are about the size of a sesame seed, around 2-3 mm in length and brownish in color. You can see them attach to the hairs of the head near the base of the hair shaft and they go to the scalp to lay eggs.

  • Body Lice

Adults are slightly longer than head lice, 2.3-3.6mm in length. Still, they’re very similar in appearance. They are also brownish in color and have two antennae on their heads. Body lice aren’t found in the same locations as head lice. In fact, they only go to the human body to feed.

How Do You Catch Them

  • Head Lice

These are caught when you come into close contact with infected people, especially their hair. Head lice cannot jump or fly, instead, they crawl from one host to another. Even objects, such as clothes, hats, combs or brushes seldomly transmit lice as the lice die within a day without human blood.

  • Body Lice

Body lice can spread via direct contact and through contact with items that are carrying the lice. As previously mentioned, body lice don’t stay on the body, they dwell in items such as clothing, bedding and towels, only making their way to the body to feed.

Who is at Risk of Catching Lice?

  • Head Lice

Head lice occur primarily among children of preschool and elementary school age. Since direct, head-to-head contact is the main way the lice are transmitted, young kids at school are most likely to get infestations. According to the CDC, 6-12 million infestations occur each year in the U.S. to children. More girls get head lice than boys because of their long hair, which is easier for the critters to climb on to. Even though head lice are common it’s treatment has come a long way from at home pesticide infused formulas. Your local head lice center can clear your family of head lice with one FDA approved all-natural treatment backed by a 45-day guarantee.

  • Body Lice

While body lice usually require direct person-to-person contact, the creatures tend to thrive in crowded conditions, messy environments and on those with poor hygiene. People in places like homeless shelters and other crammed dwellings are susceptible to body lice infestations, which can spread quickly in such conditions.

Finding a Head Lice Center You Can Trust

These are the main differences between head and body lice. Be sure to check for these before deciding to go to your local head lice center. For further questions and assistance, contact Fresh Heads Lice Removal today. We are a science-based head lice treatment center that kills head lice and their eggs using only heated air. This is completely pesticide and chemical-free single treatment that kills head lice and their eggs with no follow up necessary, guaranteed!

Head Lice Exposure

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

/0 Comments/in /by

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.

Savannah Morning News Logo

Savannah Morning News Interview

/0 Comments/in /by

We had a great time sitting down with the Savannah Morning News to talk about what local parents can do to get rid of head lice. Check out the interview below!

Hart to Heart: What to do when your kids get head lice

I reached out to Mandy Ottesen, owner of Fresh Heads Lice Removal, for expert advice on whether you can prevent lice and how to remove it.

Since opening in September 2017, Ottesen’s lice removal treatment center, located on U.S. 80 West in Pooler, has become a salvation for head-scratching parents who have kids with lice….. Click here to read the rest of this interview on www.savannahnow.com

Are Drug-Resistant Lice Headed Your Way?

/in /by

Head lice are a fact of life for parents of school-aged children. With 6 to 12 million children infested each year, it’s hard to make it through elementary school without about with the pesky parasites. Traditionally, over-the-counter treatments were enough to get rid of the problem. However, U.S. investigators are now warning that drug-resistant lice could be coming to a school near you!

As mentioned above, head lice are a very common occurrence for school-aged children and their families. Unable to fly or jump like fleas, head lice are transmitted via direct contact. After contact, they are quick to infest the head, feeding on blood and laying their eggs at the base of the hair shaft. While they do not transmit disease, they cause extreme discomfort. Until recently, there were simple topical treatments that, when combined with thoroughly cleaning your clothes, carpet, bedding, and furniture, could reliably eliminate the infestation. Those days could be numbered…

In at least 25 states, including Florida, analysts have found head lice populations that don’t respond to common, over-the-counter treatments. In one study, 104 out of 109 lice populations tested had a 100 resistance to permethrin, the most common pesticide found in over-the-counter treatments.

The cause of the resistance is a tale as old as time. After stronger pesticides were taken off the market, lice populations had generation after generation to develop genetic resistance to the only one left, permethrin.

The good news is that there are other treatments available. There are more intense pesticides that can be effective, but many parents are wary of using such strong chemicals on their children.

At Fresh Heads, we use a revolutionary new treatment called AirAlletm that uses only hot air to kill lice and their eggs. That’s right – there is an effective, science-based, pesticide-free way to kill head lice and their eggs at all stages of life!

Fresh Heads Head Lice Treatment Center is a science-based head lice removal company. Our highly trained technicians are skilled at getting rid of lice in one treatment session using the Revolutionary AirAlletm Head Lice Machine. We are the only single-treatment professional head lice removal company serving Jacksonville, Orlando, and surrounding areas that offers a 45-day guarantee. If you think you might be experiencing a head lice issue in your household, call us today! A Fresh Heads Technician will carefully inspect every hair on the heads in question.

Keep the Fun in Halloween by Keeping the Head Lice Away!

/in , /by

halloween-pumpkinWith Halloween right around the corner and little ones enjoying dressing up in costume, masks and wigs and such, we thought it the opportune time to remind our readers how lice are spread and some tips for preventing lice transmission so your kids can enjoy this fun time of year lice free.

How Lice Are Spread

Lice are almost always caught by another person, usually children.  This can be from head-to-head contact like when sharing a bed or playing in close proximity.

Busting the Myth About Shared Items

Contrary to popular misconceptions, lice are typically not spread by sharing items.   Head lice must feed on human blood in order to survive. An adult head louse will die within 24 to 48 hours of being off a human head. Nymphs can only live for several hours without feeding. Nits must be kept warm by the scalp, and are therefore not viable when off of a human head.

For all of these reasons, it is not very likely that lice will spread by way of inanimate objects. However, it is not impossible, and therefore basic cleaning of bedding, carpets, upholstered furniture, hairbrushes, stuffed animals, hair ties, and clothing should be done whenever head lice are found in the home.

Can Lice Jump From One Person to Another?

No.  Because lice cannot jump or fly, they crawl from one person to another, using their claws to grab onto hair.   Head lice can’t survive more than a day or so without a meal of blood so those “on the loose” will soon die off.

How to Prevent the Spread of Lice

Keeping your head away from other heads is your best chance at not getting infested. If you have long hair, putting it in a bun or braid will help.

Because 50 percent of the time people get infested with other family members, make sure everyone in your family gets checked (and if necessary, treated) when any family member has lice.  There are lice repellant products on the market that contain essential oils that lice don’t like to smell. In vitro tests show lice will stay away from essential oils used in those products.

Can I Get Lice From My Pet?

No. Lice do not live on animals.  Pets play no role in the spread of head lice.

If There’s an Outbreak

  • If you know of an outbreak in the area, avoid sleepovers and slumber parties until the outbreak clears up.
  • Machine wash and dry, at high temperatures, any bedding, and clothing used by anyone having lice.
  • Call Fresh Heads in the Jacksonville, Orlando and Savannah areas for head checks and if needed, speedy and efficient removal of all lice and nits.

Follow these tips and you’ll be on your way to a happy and head-lice free Halloween!

Head Lice Awareness/Prevention Month

/0 Comments/in /by

September is Head Lice Awareness/Prevention Month.  Sponsored annually since 1985 by the National Pediculosis Association (NPA), Head Lice Awareness/Prevention Month was originated to bring attention to the pesky problem by providing information about regular screenings, early detection, and effective non-chemical removal procedures.

Screening by parents on a regular basis allows for early detection.  Early detection allows for quick response with the “least offensive” treatment and lessens the chances for spreading of the infestation.  The all-natural, chemical-free preventative products and the pesticide-free AirAllé™ lice removal treatments that are used by the professional lice removal staff at Fresh Heads Head Lice Treatment Center reduce the occurrence of harmful after-effects.

While it’s not a throw-a-party, sing-a-happy-song kind of occasion, Head Lice Awareness/Prevention Month is a reminder that the best course of action for head lice is to be aware and to prevent.  Mandy Ottesen and her professional team are available with valuable information and resources to keep your family head lice free not only in September but year round!  They can be reached at 904-517-4087 or by visiting www.freshheadsliceremoval.com.  Now go out and celebrate!

Mutant Head Lice in Florida!

/0 Comments/in /by

It is estimated that 6 to 12 million children in the United States are infected with head lice every year. To make matters worse, there is evidence to suggest that lice may no longer be killed by over-the-counter treatments.

A study presented at the American Chemical Society shows that 25 out of 30 lice samples had resistance genes, including ones from Florida, California, Maine and Minnesota. They are calling these resistant insects, mutant head lice!

WJXT invited our very own, Mandy Ottesen, to speak on mutant lice and what you can do if your child is infected. To watch the full interview, click here!

 

boy scratches head

How Can I Tell If My Kids Have Lice?

/0 Comments/in /by

Nothing strikes fear in the hearts of mother’s everywhere like Head Lice.  Just the mention of the words will leave you scratching your head, and many parents list head lice as ‘their worst nightmare.’  Although head lice don’t carry diseases or cause illness, this pesky problem can wreak havoc on your home.

So, how can you tell if your child has lice?  It can be tricky, especially if you don’t know what you are looking for.  One of the biggest problems with head lice is that there are so many misconceptions about it.  Head Lice can happen to anyone, regardless of social class or cleanliness.  It is almost always passed via direct head-to-head contact, not from sharing hats or brushes or going to the movies or on a plane.  Young children are more susceptible, because they don’t have personal space needs like older children and adults do, and their heads are more likely to touch.

What are the signs of head lice?  Many people think that excessive scratching is the first sign of a head lice infestation, but actually, many people don’t itch for two or more weeks after they have contracted the first bug.  In fact, by the time your child is itching, they most likely have already had lice for several days or weeks.  Your best bet in identifying head lice in your child is to check their heads often, once a week is ideal.  You are much more likely to find eggs or nits that you are a bug.  Nits are dark brown in color when they are new and viable, and can turn clear or white when they are older and no longer viable.  You should look for small, dark brown bubbles that are firmly attached to the hair shaft, less than half an inch from the scalp.  If you see things that appear to be stuck to the hair shaft, but they are white and they will slide easily under your fingertips, this is NOT lice.  A nit will feel like a hard speed bump under your fingers and will not slide down the hair shaft without using your fingernails.  Some children develop a rash at the base of their neck, and yes, eventually they will start itching.

Of course, you can always delegate the checking to the experts at Fresh Heads Lice Removal.  Our head checks are incredibly thorough!  If you would like peace of mind, please give us a call and schedule your checks!