Archive for August, 2007

Start the School Year Prepared with Accurate Head Lice Information

headlice August 16th, 2007

Amid new worries about safety in the nation’s schools is an age-old health problem that drives millions of children to the nurse’s office each year:

HEAD LICE!

Cases of head lice - or pediculosis- show up mainly in elementary schools because the itchy, creepy, sesame seed-sized bugs tend to invade the scalps of children age 12 and younger.

Head lice have a life span of 40 days and lay about 200 eggs, called nits, over that time period. Using a very strong natural "glue," the louse attaches one egg per strand of hair. The eggs hatch within seven to ten days and mature in another seven to 10 days. Head lice are parasites that like clean shiny hair. They spread from person to person through contact and are highly contagious. They will lay 3-10 nits (eggs) per day. The nits are about the size of a sesame seed and range in color from opalescent white to light brown. They are glued to the hair shaft and are located near the scalp.

The Right Method – A True Lice Removal Story (conclusion)

headlice August 15th, 2007

Last week we began telling a heartwarming story about a client who was treated with the Licenders head lice removal method by one of our dedicated clinicians. The client, Rachel* had been completely overwhelmed. Everything changed once Licenders came in, and left Rachel* with the manageable step-by-step solution for removing the lice. The amazing story didn't end there - the experience actually changed Rachel's life!

Here is the conclusion of this true-life story:

During the lice treatment, our sensitive clinician picked up on some disturbing information. Rachel* was a single parent, without means of support. Her ex-husband had finally paid for our services, when he realized that the kids were coming to spend time with him, and they were coming with a lice infestation!

Rachel* was so appreciative of our services, and it was obvious that she felt that her inability to fix the problem was due to her inferiority. Our clinician explained to Rachel* that being overwhelmed by a lice situation is a very common experience, in no way related to a person's capabilities. She showed Rachel* that with the proper information and tools, she too could get control of the lice and nits problem that had plagued her home for months. Over the next two weeks, we kept in touch with Rachel*, as we do with all our clients. We confirmed that she was doing the maintenance as advised and that after a few days had found no more live bugs or nits in the process. We did a follow-up appointment within the first week, and were satisfied that Rachel* was doing a great job with maintaining the head lice treatment, to prevent re-infestation . She just needed to be shown the method, and provided with effective tools.

Rachel's self esteem improved so, she seemed like a new person.  And then, our clinician, experienced and caring as she is, made a suggestion to us. Since Rachel* had done such an excellent job, perhaps we could help her even more. Perhaps we could train Rachel* to work for LICENDERS, thus further enabling her to achieve an independent lifestyle. And that is what happened! Rachel* trained with us, learning all there is to know about head lice treatment and became an expert in lice removal herself! Knowing what it's like to feel overwhelmed and ineffective, Rachel* is now on the giving end. Providing clients with the right lice shampoo, an effective lice comb, and the lice removal method that works, she is able to give parents who are dealing with headlice a sense of control and mastery. Rachel* gets much satisfaction knowing she is helping to prevent the interpersonal stress that can develop between parents and children when removal of lice and nits deteriorates into a losing battle.

*Name changed to protect privacy

The Right Method – a True Lice Removal Story

headlice August 8th, 2007

Through our many years of experience at LICENDERS, we have collected lots of significant lice information, and developed a solid method for lice removal. We stick with our system, because ultimately it works. Our method is not complicated, and when followed carefully does achieve complete resolution of the problem.

In our years of treating clients, we have met and helped many people.

One interesting situation stands out. Rachel* called us because her daughter was sent home from school numerous times with lice. She had tried numerous treatments, with and without a lice comb, but the problem never seemed to go away. She also received recommendations for all sorts of home remedies for head lice! She was told to put margarine on her child’s head, but other than making a mess, the problem still didn't go away! In addition, the relationship between her and her 2 kids was starting to show signs of tension. She was desperate to get her daughters back into school, and to end the cycle of negativity going on in her home. We arranged for one of our caring clinicians to treat the family. Our clinician arrived at a home that was in distress. The kids were frustrated, and had lost patience. With a smile, our clinician confidently reassured them that she had been removing lice for many years, and their problems would soon be over. The girls settled down with a DVD, and Rachel* was encouraged to unwind, and observe.

Our clinician started the lice shampooing process, followed by our combing out method, while engaging Rachel* in light conversation. As appropriate, she showed Rachel* a louse, a newly hatched louse called a nymph, and nits in different stages of development, as they were removed by the lice comb. Due to many weeks of ineffective treatment, there were a few cycles of lice and nits in the child's hair. Our clinician carefully showed Rachel* how to discriminate between nits, and other matter found in a normal head of hair, including dandruff and protein deposits. The relaxed nature of the demonstration had a noticeable effect on Rachel*. The problem had seemed overwhelming to her. Now she was learning a manageable step-by-step solution for the removal of lice. All the tools needed to get the job done were provided. By the time our clinician finished both children, Rachel* was talking calmly. Armed with expert information on lice and how to remove the nits, She felt capable of maintaining the lice removal method for the two weeks recommended by LICENDERS. But the story does not end here! (to be continued)

*not her real name

Dangerous Chemicals and Headlice Treatment (part 2)

headlice August 1st, 2007

Yesterday, we started discussing the shocking truth about the chemicals that are being used in the well-known brands of lice shampoo, and the incredible risks people are encouraged to take when treating head lice and nits.

Here are some more scary examples of products being used for lice removal:

Kwell®, Kildane® and G-well® use lindane. Lindane was once the lice treatment of choice. It is now recognized as highly toxic, although lindane based lice control products are still approved for use in Canada. Lindane is an organochloride insecticide in the same chemical class as DDT. A nerve poison, lindane is readily absorbed through the skin and is classed as a known cancer-causing chemical in California where it is banned. Documented health effects of exposure to lindane include hormone disruption, dizziness, seizures, nervous system damage, immune system damage and birth defects. Lindane, also an agricultural pesticide, has been found in breast milk and blood samples throughout the world and is banned in at least 14 countries. But doctors can still prescribe it as an acceptable lice treatment!

There are prescription medicinal shampoos such as Ovide® that use malathion. Malathion is an organophosphate pesticide ("OP"). Studies have shown links between regular exposure to malathion and various human maladies, including non-Hodgkins lymphoma, childhood leukemia, anemia, chromosome damage, and weakened immune systems. That’s why it’s only available by prescription! While malathion and other OPs undoubtedly can wreak havoc on human health, its producers, many scientists, and even some environmentalists believe that it’s worth the risk in order to deal with lice and nits! Not because it is safe!

Much of the information about the dangers of these chemicals, is based on application of the chemicals to clothing, or spraying it in the air, to control pests such as mosquitoes. Obviously in a lice shampoo, it is applied directly to the skin. The scalp is one of the most absorbent parts of the body. Products applied to the scalp go directly to the blood, without being filtered in any way. They have a much faster, and direct route into the human body, making any dangers far more likely.

This information is not really a secret. The facts are readily available from government agencies, public health resources, and environmental organizations, on and off the web. The lice shampoo manufacturers themselves warn you to use the product only as directed. That’s because if you use it only a little bit longer than recommended, it can be very dangerous.

There are better ways to treat lice and nits – information is available. Don’t take chances on your kids.