Archive for the 'Head Lice Removal Tips' Category

Lice Help - Removing Lice from Bedroom Furniture

headlice October 30th, 2007

Licenders' years of treating headlice at home for thousands of clients, puts us in the unique position to offer expert head lice help. When you are dealing with lice, help from our professional experience can keep you from getting overwhelmed.

Previously, we have given guidelines for head lice removal in the main rooms of your house during a "lice epidemic". Now we will guide you in removing head lice from the bedrooms, bathrooms and any personal areas of your home. Rooms that are used for sleeping, dressing, or washing by the adults or children who have head lice in your home, need more care than the other rooms. Once you have taken just a few more steps, you will confidently remove all the lice in those rooms too.

We will start with the bedroom. The first thing to recognize is that human head lice are not bed bugs. Lice are completely different than bedbugs in the way they feed, the way they behave, and their life cycles:

Bedbugs can live for several months without feeding. A louse, on the other hand, will die, usually within 24 hours off of a human head! Lice need to be on a human head in order to thrive. They suck blood a few times in any given day.

Another major difference is that bed bugs hide in mattresses, carpets, behind peeling paint or wallpaper, and in crevices in wooden furniture. Bed bugs lay their eggs in cracks and crevices.

Headlice do not embed themselves into mattresses, quilts, pillows or any other such items. You do not have to worry about removing lice from furniture. Lice cannot lay nits (lice eggs) anyplace off of a human head either. Your furniture cannot be infested with lice!

The lice problem in the bedroom is, that sometimes a louse can crawl off of the infected person, and survive on the pillow or linen for a short amount of time. During that time, it is possible for the louse to crawl back onto the head of a person who was already treated, shampooed, and had the lice removed by combing. This would lead to a lice re-infestation in the child, because if they crawl back on to the head, the lice can feed (suck blood) again, and continue to thrive. If there is a surviving louse on the linens of an infested child, it will find a human head again the next time that child lays down on his bed - if that happens within a few hours, before it dies!

Another consideration is that a sibling who did not previously have any lice and nits, may lie down on his sister’s bed. If there is even one louse on the linen of that bed, it can crawl onto the sibling's head, and it could be missed, because that child was already found to be lice free! In this way the child who did not originally have lice at all, can re-infect his family.

In order for maintain the efforts you put into removing head lice from your kid's head, linens from the infected child must be treated properly to remove any possibility of lice re-infestation. It is not difficult to properly treat bedroom linens if your child has lice. We will explain how to do this correctly.

To be continued.

Lice Extermination for your House (Part 2)

headlice October 25th, 2007

Another lice problem in the house is that people typically shed some hair in places that they rest their heads. Such a hair can have a nit on it. Nits are laid near the scalp because they need human warmth to grow. However, a nit that is a few days old, and closer to hatching may not die even if the hair falls off the person. If the nit hatches when the hair is off of a human being, the nymph, or baby louse is doomed, since it needs to eat blood right away in order to survive. But sometimes, stray hairs “attach” themselves to another person’s head via static electricity. These stray, loose hairs will likely fall off within a few hours or in the shower. There is a chance that in the short amount of time that a stray hair with a nit may “hang” onto another person, the nit can hatch into a baby louse, and start the cycle again on the new child! You can prevent this problem of lice re-infestation.

In an occurrence of lice, removal of stray hairs from places where someone typically rests their head is absolutely necessary.
 
The simplest and safest way to eradicate the problem of lice, or fallen hairs with attached nits, from upholstered furniture, rugs, or car seats is to use a vacuum cleaner. Vacuuming the areas that a child or adult has likely rested their head, will remove the hair from these places.  This makes it impossible for a louse or nit to find its way onto another head, and it will die. Pesticides and other forms of insect extermination are completely unnecessary, and will not remove the hairs. Most pesticides contain chemicals, are dangerous, and do not kill head lice successfully anyway! Paying for "professional head lice home extermination" or anything of the sort, is simply a waste of your money. In just a few minutes in each room, the appropriate surfaces can be vacuumed. Save your time and energy for combing out nits from your kid's head.

Bedrooms, and other personal spaces and items do need more specific attention. We will address those parts of the house in another post in this series.

Easy Lice Extermination for your House (part 1)

headlice October 24th, 2007

Lice extermination in the house is necessary, but there is no need to get overwhelmed. As we said in our previous post, there are things that must be done when you have a headlice problem in your house. It is simple and easy to clean out lice in furniture and main living rooms in your house. In just a few minutes, you can easily treat most of your home for headlice.

The problem is a louse can crawl off of a head onto a pillow, the head rest of a couch, or any other location where a person typically rests their head. Although this is not where head lice thrive, it can happen. The louse will die usually within 24 hours off of a human head. Without human blood it simply can’t live. It cannot lay nits (lice eggs) anyplace off of a head either. In such an instance, it is possible that once it has crawled onto furniture, a louse can crawl back onto a different child’s head in the short time that it is still alive. Despite the fact that this situation seems unlikely, it can happen, and the risk is significant enough to warrant some attention.

to be continued

Lice Removal - Is Your Home Infested?

headlice October 23rd, 2007

Sometimes the reaction to finding out that a child has head lice, causes more distress than the actual lice removal itself. We have had parents call us wanting to know if we provide a lice removal service to clean their home. They feel overwhelmed at the thought of thoroughly removing headlice from their home. Some people think that if a child has lice or nits, their home is “infested”. The term lice home infestation can be used to describe a situation, but it does not describe the house!

A lice infested home, is a description of a family whose members have lice or nits in their hair. The reference is to the people who live in the home, not the home itself! Wood, concrete, sheetrock, or other materials that make up walls, or flooring can not “have lice”. Head lice are human parasites. That means that headlice need human blood to survive. On the head is where lice live, and on the head is where lice lay nits.

To remove head lice from a house, the main thing is to remove the lice and nits from the people. Lice should be removed carefully with a proper lice comb. Head lice removal is time consuming – the nits are glued tightly to the hair, and they don’t come out easily. A professional lice comb should be made specifically to remove nits. The lice comb must be used properly, methodically combing through every single strand of hair to comb out every nit. Licenders provides professional, comprehensive removal of headlice, by treating the infected person with our all-natural lice shampoo, and then thoroughly and methodically, removing the head lice with our professionally designed lice comb. Our clinicians treat clients, removing lice in the comfort of their home, or in our salon in New York City.

That being said, there are certainly things that must be done in a house where one or more family members has caught head lice. Those things are specific and not complicated. We will address some of those things in upcoming posts.

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

Dangerous Chemicals and Headlice Treatment (part 1)

headlice July 31st, 2007

When Licenders started providing head lice treatment, we used the lice shampoo products that were available in the regular national chain drug stores. However, we found that those products were not sufficiently getting rid of head lice. After following the directions, we still found live bugs in the hair. This led us to research what was going on. That’s when we came across the concept of chemical resistant lice. But we also became more informed about chemicals, and how they could affect our clients.

We found out some pretty frightening information:

Pesticide based lice shampoo contains ingredients which are known or suspected to cause cancer, affect the nervous system, and have other harmful effects. They can trigger asthma or allergic responses. Children, especially children with asthma and allergies, are more vulnerable than adults to these chemicals. Your home is supposed to be a safe place for your children. Home remedies for head lice shouldn’t be dangerous. 

Nix®, Elimite®, Acticin®, and Lyclear™ are hair lice treatments that contain permethrin. Permethrin is a synthetic version of an extract from the chrysanthemum. Such chemicals are called pyrethroids. Exposure to pyrethroids can cause skin irritation or sneezing, nasal stuffiness, or breathing difficulties. Children with a history of allergies or asthma are particularly sensitive. It may also produce numbing, tingling, and burning sensations. The EPA has permethrin classified as a possible cancer-causing agent. And it’s being used in order to treat headlice! 

Rid®, Pronto®, and R&C®, more remedies for head lice, contain pyrethrum and piperony butoxide. Pyrethrum is a natural insecticide made from chrysanthemums. Pyrethrum can trigger allergic responses like skin rashes, hives and asthma. There have been cases where this chemical insecticide caused a human fatal asthma attack. It has been directly linked to neurological problems, causing paralysis and general muscle weakness. To add insult to injury, piperonyl butoxide is a synthetic chemical that increases the potency of pyrethrum. Kids are being exposed to such risks! Why? To get rid of hair lice and nits.

It’s hard to believe, but it’s true.

There’s still more disturbing stuff… (to be continued) 

 

Treating Objects Infested By Head Lice | Part 1

headlice March 13th, 2007

The second people think of head lice, they immediately think of treating the infested person's scalp.  However, it is equally important that you begin treating any and all objects that may have been infested by louse as well.  This can be difficult determining what has been infested and what hasn't.  Here are five things to consider when treating objects.

HeadLice live off of warmth and humidity, but there is a limit to the degree of temperature they can live off of.  Exposing lice and nits to temperatures of 125 degrees Fahrenheit is lethal.  Therefore, it is crucial that you wash all articles of clothing and bed sheets in the washing machine in hot water.  After washing the clothes, you want to dry all articles in the dryer to ensure that all lice and nits are disinfested from the high temperature.

If you have any articles of clothing or bedding that are non-washable, make sure to at least place them in the dryer.  In order to disinfest the articles of nits and lice, they should be placed in the dryer for no less than 30 minutes using high heat.  Another option is dry-cleaning your clothes or sealing them up in plastic bags for no less than 10 days.

Hair Lice Symptoms - Are You Infested? | Conclusion

headlice February 27th, 2007

Another symptom of hair lice is if your head becomes sore from scratching.  This becomes the case when you are constantly scratching the bites, and possibly opening the bites up.  You have to be careful about this and begin treating it quickly, because the bites can become infected.

If you find any louse droppings in the hair, you need to look closely for lice and nits.  Louse droppings look like little black powder that is easy to see on pillow cases or in bed sheets.  You can sometimes find louse droppings on the person's clothes on their shoulders as well.

What is troubling with hair lice is that there are not always relevant symptoms for awhile, if at all.  It is possible to not notice any itching or scratching, or see any louse droppings for months after being infested.  This obviously can make it extremely difficult to treat.  The important thing is that you are aware of your hairs health and take good care of it.  Also, try to be familiar with whether your kids' friends have been infested or not, because hair lice is highly contagious.

While there are a number of symptoms to help detect hair lice, these are some of the more common symptoms found.  There are instances where no symptoms of head lice are found, but more times than not you will notice at least one symptom.  As soon as you find a symptom, it is vital that you begin investigating into further detail.  The quicker you find out whether you or your children are infested, the quicker you can begin treatment.

Hair Lice Symptoms - Are You Infested? | Part 1

headlice February 23rd, 2007

Because of how small hair lice are and how few of them there are to start, it can be difficult to determine whether you or your children have hair lice.  There are a number of symptoms that can help you decipher whether or not you have head lice.  The more you are aware of the symptoms, the quicker you can get to treating the lice if you do in fact have lice.

One of the first symptoms that are apparent with hair lice is constant itching and scratching of the head.  The itching is due to an allergic reaction to the bites from the nits and lice.  If you notice that you or your children are scratching their head more often than usual, you want to look closely for lice.

You can diagnose hair lice by looking closely through the hair and scalp for lice, nymphs or nits.  It is difficult to find nits because there are so few of them and they move quickly through the hair.  However, if you find any nits or lice ¼ inches away from the scalp, then it is a confirmation that the person has head lice.  If you have difficulty coming to a conclusion, make sure you see a health care provider to be exact.

The Three Groups Of Head Lice Treatment

headlice February 20th, 2007

Treating head lice as soon as it has been diagnosed is essential because of the rapid rate that lice grow over a short period of time.  There are a number of treatments for head lice, none necessarily being better than another.  However, there are three different groups of treatment that can be used to treat head lice.

Insecticides
Insecticides are available, for people who don't care that they are placing chemicals in the hair to solve the problem.  Insecticides are sometimes effective and can quickly kill lice and nymphs.

There are a number of insecticides that can be purchased over the counter such as malathion, permethrin, and phenothrin.  Other types of insecticides, such as carbaryl, are only available through prescription because of their intensity.  It is important to note that insecticides can have strong chemicals that potentially lead to side-effects such as rashes and scalp irritation.

Insecticides for treating head lice and nits can be purchased in the form of lotions, liquids or cream rinses.  You can also find shampoos, but these are not nearly as effective as the lotions and creams.  However, alcohol-based lotions are by far the most effective form of insecticide out there.  If you are treating a young child, professionals recommend that you stay away from alcohol-based lotions and stick with liquids and cream rinses.

It is important to follow the directions carefully when applying the insecticide into the hair.  Usually they tell you to leave the insecticide in the hair for a certain length of time.  This should kill the living lice. The bottle may also claim to kill the nits, but not all of them. Therefore, it is vital that you do a follow-up treatment a week later to ensure that you get rid of all lice and nymphs that may have hatched in the interim.

For the record, our experience has shown that no product ever "kills" nits, despite the claims of insecticides.

Combing
Combing is by far the most popular and effective home cure of head lice and nits.  This method involves using a fine-toothed comb to remove the lice from the scalp.  This treatment is time consuming and vigorous, but will allow you to avoid placing chemicals on your child's head.  The treatment requires that you comb at least every four days for a two-week span. 

Herbal Treatment
Using herbs to treat head lice and nits is another method that can be used to avoid placing chemicals on your child's head.  The most effective herbs include placing essential oils, herbal extracts, or homeopathic tinctures.  There is no concrete evidence that using herbs will effectively rid your child's scalp from lice, but many people do find it to work just fine.

If you are looking to avoid placing chemicals in your child's head, try combing or using herbs to treat the problem.  Otherwise, there are a number of insecticides that can be taken into consideration. Whatever treatment you choose to use, it is vital that you begin treating the problem as soon as you have accurately diagnosed it.

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