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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!

Hair Straightening vs. Lice

Can You Treat Head Lice with Hair Straighteners?

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There is no secret that heat is a big enemy of head lice. Many people wonder if hair straighteners are a good solution for eliminating lice infestations. Let’s look at why thoroughly straightening hair is not the best way to get rid of lice.

Head Lice vs. Heat

Heat absolutely does kill lice. The FDA-cleared AirAllé® machine uses heated-air to immediately dehydrate and kill lice and their eggs (nits). Straightening your hair can result in eliminating some head lice. However, this method will not completely get rid of all the lice and their nits.

Thoroughly straightening your hair cannot cover the areas frequented by lice because they dwell very close to the scalp. There will always be surviving lice and nits continuing their life cycle and preventing you from completely clearing the head lice infestation.

Safety Concerns for Children

Using a hot, in-home device for killing lice is dangerous for children with infestations. A child’s sensitive skin burns far more easily than an adult’s, making the risk for an accidental burn very high. Burns can result in permanent scarring, depending on the severity. When it comes to children, it’s best to take safety precautions into consideration when searching for the best way to get rid of lice.

The Best Way to Get Rid of Lice

If you or your child have an infestation, don’t settle for half-measures when treating head lice. Consult a lice removal professional with the FDA-cleared AirAllé® machine. Fresh Heads Lice Removal only uses certified methods that are free of toxic chemicals and won’t risk burning anyone’s scalp. Fresh Heads Lice Removal stands behinds every AirAllé service with a 45-day re-treatment guarantee and even offers a unique lifetime protection plan. Call to schedule head lice screening and removal treatment today!

young children playing outside in Jacksonville

How to Get Rid of Head Lice Safely and Quickly

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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!

man flicks dandruff off shirt

What is Dandruff and What Can You Do About It?

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We get a lot of questions from people who wonder how to tell the difference between head lice and dandruff. Fortunately, it’s fairly easy tell them apart once you know the difference in their appearance.

If you are worried that you have head lice, contact us right away for a head check. But what if you have dandruff? Here is a great article from our friends at www.healthambition.com that explains what dandruff is, its causes, and what you can do to treat it.

What Causes Dandruff?

Whether you class dandruff as annoying, embarrassing, or both, one thing’s for sure: it sucks. It’s not a life threatening condition, but it’s also not a condition most of us are very happy about having!

Itchy scalp, constantly checking your shoulders for stray flakes…it’s not your idea of sexy and sophisticated, is it?

So what causes dandruff and what can be done about it? Read on to find out the answers to these questions and more… Click here to read this article on www.healthambition.com

woman on cell phone

Talking to Other Parents About Lice

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Head lice is a topic of discussion that most parents would rather avoid but is a necessary one. Good communication is key to preventing lice outbreaks among family, friends, and classmates. When you’re informed that there’s an active case of head lice at school, you can take the steps suggested by your health care provider or local lice treatment center to help prevent head lice in your home.

It’s best for parents to talk about head lice before a case is present. This way, you can have a specific plan of attack and you’ll be prepared if an outbreak should occur. It’s also good to have this discussion before anyone has head lice. This helps keep a neutral tone in the discussion and avoid the high emotions that tend to come with lice. What’s in a plan? It could include a recommended method for checking for head lice, ways to prevent head lice, how to contain head lice and keep it from spreading and a list of resources including the nearest lice treatment center.

Unfortunately, there is still a strong stigma about head lice. Continuing to avoid the topic only makes matters worse. If another parent is brave enough to come to you and tell you that their child has head lice, be thankful and do what you can to alleviate their embarrassment. Let them know that it’s not a big deal. It’s true, treating head lice can be a big inconvenience. But with good communication between parents, everyone can take the proper steps to help prevent head lice in their home.

On the other side of the token, if your child has head lice, be sure to let other parents and teachers know. Don’t let embarrassment keep you from informing others.  It’s important to remember that it’s nothing you did and your child is not “dirty”. They simply caught lice from another child, much like colds get passed around among friends. Keep the facts in mind—lice are not dangerous, lice have nothing to do with hygiene, and lice don’t fly or live on animals. Follow your plan and get your child treated right away. You’ll also want to check the entire family to keep the lice from spreading.

To treat your child’s head lice safely and effectively, you can trust Fresh Heads Lice Treatment Center. We offer a variety of services including family head checks, traditional comb-outs and our signature AirAllé treatment that kills lice and their eggs without harsh chemicals. For more information on our products and services, visit our services page.

Are Drug-Resistant Lice Headed Your Way?

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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.

Head Lice and School District Policies at Clay County Public Schools, St. John’s Public Schools and Duval County Public Schools

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If you live in Jacksonville, FL, and surrounding areas, school is back in session. Time to review the North Florida School Lice Policies for the local school districts of Clay County Public Schools, St. Johns County for Public Schools, and Duval County Public Schools.

To see the full official head lice policies for schools in Central Florida, visit their official websites at Polk County Schools, Orange County Public Schools, Lake County Public Schools, Sumter County Public Schools, Indian River County Schools, and Seminole County Public Schools

For South Georgia and South Carolina, visit: Camden County Public Schools, Macintosh County Schools, Wayne County Schools, Long County Schools, Liberty County Schools, Chatham County Schools, Effingham County Schools, Jaseper County Schools, Beaufort County Schools, and Charleston County Schools

1. Clay County Public Schools Head Lice Policy

According to the Clay County Health Department and The Clay County School Board, students need to be free of nits (eggs) prior to re-entry into their school after treatment. Parents of Elementary school-aged children are required to accompany their children to school on the first day of entry after treatment. All children should be back to school within two days if treated properly. Habitual absentee cases may be referred to the community health nurse or the school attendance assistant or social worker. If the parent(s)/guardian(s) fail to comply with proper head lice treatment, they may be referred to the state attorney’s office for violation of compulsory school attendance law

2. St. John’s County Public Schools Head Lice Policy

In St. John’s County Public Schools, all students infected with head lice shall not be allowed back into school until all signs of lice and nits are gone. The school nurse or personnel in the Student Services Department shall contact the student’s parent(s) or legal guardian when a student misses three (3) or more school days for (1) incidence of head lice.

Readmission to school shall require an examination by a properly trained personnel, designated by the school principal, to determine if the student may return to school.

3. Duval County Public Schools Head Lice Policy

Students with nits (eggs) will be excluded from school until they are nit-free. All children excluded from school due to head lice and/or nits must be accompanied by a parent or an adult before they will be allowed to return to school or ride the school bus.

The above information is meant to guide parents regarding standard school policies regarding head lice and head lice treatment prior to their children returning to their school after experiencing head lice. Please refer to your child’s specific school policies for further details.

Because of the highly contagious manner of head lice and the need to ensure that all stages of lice are killed, it’s a safer course to seek professional help right away. Doing so will help your children return to school sooner.

The treatment team at Fresh Heads Lice Treatment Centers are trained and qualified to treat lice in one treatment session with our Revolutionary AirAlle Head Lice Machine. Fresh Heads Head Lice Removal Treatment Centers are located in Jacksonville, FL, and Orlando, FL. We also offer the lowest cost traditional comb out option.

So, if sometime during this school year your child brings more than homework home – like a case of head lice, we are here to help. Call the Fresh Heads Head Lice Treatment Center closest to you.

 

boy scratches head

How Can I Tell If My Kids Have Lice?

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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!

Do African Americans Get Head Lice?

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Believe it or not, this is one of the most-searched questions on the Internet pertaining to head lice.  The answer is, yes, but not very often. According to Dr. Dale Clayton, renowned parasitologist and inventor of the revolutionary AirAllé 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. Since lice are uniquely adapted to crawl along a hair shaft, and since lice glue their eggs to the hair shaft, this often prevents African Americans from getting lice. Cultural use of oils actually doesn’t affect this much, contrary to popular belief. It is, in fact, the different shape of the hair shaft that typically insulates the African American population from contracting head lice. At Fresh Heads Lice Removal, we have treated children who have one African American parent and one Non-African American parent. Although the incidence is quite low, less than a quarter of a percent of the families that we treat to have any African American descendants. And now you know!

Lice Treatment Safe for All Hair Types

In the small chance of a head lice outbreak, there are several effective treatment options. Beyond our preventative hair treatments, Fresh Heads offers a revolutionary treatment with our AirAllé® device that is exclusive to us. Using patented technology, the AirAllé® simply blows warm air on the head to kill any lice and eggs that may be alive in a single treatment. Because the AirAllé® only uses warm air—no chemicals or pesticides—it is a fantastic and safe lice treatment option for all hair types. The AirAllé® is FDA-cleared and has a 99.2% treatment success rate. The advantage of choosing Fresh Heads and the AirAllé® is that you’ll be lice-free in a little over an hour, plus you’ll receive our 45-day guarantee. Learn more about the innovation of the AirAllé®.

 

Fresh Heads recommends these products to help prevent or treat head lice in African American families whose hair texture is susceptible.

 

Click Here to See All of Our Products

 

Fresh Heads Lice Removal serves Jacksonville, FL, Orlando, FL, Savannah, GA, and surrounding areas.  If you are interested in the AirAllé™ treatment and would like to find a Lice Clinics of America location near you, click below!

 

head lice treatment products and nit comb

So What DOES Kill Head Lice?

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There is good news!  At Fresh Heads, we recommend the use of a silicone oil solution to suffocate lice.  The use of a blended Dimethicone Oil solution specifically formulated to kill head lice is the most effective treatment option currently available.  In a blind study, the use of a properly formulated blend of dimethicone is shown to be incredibly effective at killing live lice.  Additionally, this treatment is inexpensive and completely non-toxic.  Dimethicone will not, however, kill nits.  Fresh Heads uses Dimethicone in all our treatments, and we offer it for sale to the do-it-yourselfer.