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Head Lice: What Parents Need to Know

Head Lice: What Parents Need to Know

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If you are a caregiver of a small child, then you may or may or may not have dealt with the trials that ensue when they test positive for head lice. If you have, you may recall what that moment felt like. Stressed, worried, and with an onslaught of questions running through your brain, you may have wanted to try a million different things. We get it. The staff at Fresh Heads Lice Removal in Jacksonville and Orlando, Florida, and Savannah, Georgia, aren’t rookies when it comes to head lice in adults and children. 

It might sound cliche, but the key to treating this condition is through timeliness and effectiveness. Unfortunately, there is much misinformation about head lice themselves and about treatments. Specifically, the numerous DIY’s that claim to be an effective alternative to receiving professional treatment. Understand that no matter how quick or easy an at-home-treatment might sound, the best option will always be to seek out assistance from a licensed professional. One of the worst things you can do is waste your time with ineffective treatments and the condition gradually worsens.

We know that there is an overwhelming amount of information on the web about head lice, so we wanted to provide a trusted source to aid in your search for finding the best treatment option for you and your loved one. We’ll review the appearance and functionality of head lice, how they spread, the treatment options we have available, and how you can prevent your child from getting head lice. 

Head Lice: Appearance And Functionality

Firstly, adult head lice are about the size of a sesame seed and are grey or white in color. However, they can also be a darker color for individuals who have darker hair. They have six legs in total and attached to the end of each are hook-like claws that allow them to grip onto the hair strand firmly. When they move around on the scalp, there’s this head-tickling sensation that causes people to itch, or make them believe they can “feel” the bugs moving. Head lice feed off of blood from the scalps of people and an adult head louse can live for about 30 days with a constant food supply. A female head louse can lay about 6-10 eggs a day, strategically, about ¼ of an inch above the scalp.

Secondly, head lice nits, or eggs, can be yellow, white, or black in color. They are about the size of a single knot in a piece of thread. As you can imagine, they are often confused with dandruff, sores, or water droplets on the scalp. Seeing them with the naked eye is almost impossible. Using traditional hair tools to remove them will be virtually ineffective because they are so small and so close to the scalp. After about 9 days, they will hatch into a nymph. 

Nymphs are just even smaller versions of adult head lice. They feed on the blood of the scalp until they fully mature, about 9-12 days later. 

The Transferability of Head Lice

Before we continue, let’s bust some myths first:

  • Swimming Does Not Spread Head Lice: The idea that you can drown head lice is simply false. Not only are the chlorine levels used in most community swimming pools not strong enough to kill head lice, but submerging them underwater alone will not get rid of them. Remember those hooks we mentioned earlier? Well what makes them impossible to remove by traditional methods, like washing the hair (where they will be underwater), is because of those claws. They are able to hang onto the hair and not let go. In other words, once on the hair, they are staying until removed with the proper tools or treatments. The same applies to head lice nits. 
  • No, They Don’t Spread Diseases: We know that the word parasite when used to talk about the pesky bugs can be somewhat alarming. Regardless, the scratching from the constant itching is what leads to possible sores on the scalp. That is what leads to infection if an individual develops one.
  • Head Pieces And Wigs Do Not Spread Head Lice: Head lice need a constant blood supply in order to remain alive. The nature of wigs requires a protective piece, called a wig cap, in order to keep the natural hair safe. It provides a barrier to whatever tools and manipulation tactics one might use for the wig itself. Head lice cannot go longer than a day without feeding, so transmission from a wig or headpiece is extremely low. 

Our Signature Treatment: The Airalle

A non-toxic treatment starting at $159.99, the purpose of our patented AirAlle device is to ensure that each of our clients who elect to receive this treatment, only have to visit us once. 

Easy. 

The Airalle uses warm, dry air to kill all of the adult head lice, nymphs, and nits. It’s a 90-minute process that includes a comb-out and a nontoxic treatment that is applied to the scalp. This treatment is recommended for anyone over the age of three. 

Fresh Heads Lice Removal: Your One And Done Stop

You don’t have to be alone and frazzled when trying to get rid of a head lice infestation. Whether it is head lice in adults or children, our staff are prepared to give you the most effective treatment once so you nor those that live in your house will ever have to worry about the parasites again. As stated earlier, the key is effectiveness and timeliness. The longer you wait to seek help from a trained professional, the higher the risk of severe infestation and transmissibility to others. We understand that parents strive to ensure their little ones are healthy and itch-free. That is why we pride ourselves on providing effective treatments and reliable information so that all who enter our offices will have an all-encompassing experience. 

We have numerous treatment options available for every budget here on our website. Take a look and schedule your appointment today!

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 in Adults: How Common Is It?

Head Lice in Adults: How Common Is It?

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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!