Five Facts Parents Should Know About Lice

by | Nov 29, 2018 | Lice Treatments | 0 comments

When it comes to protecting our children from harm parents are best prepared when armed with knowledge. With that in mind, we threw together Five Facts Parents Should Know to guard their family against head lice and answer frequently asked questions.


Fact #1 –  Adult Head Lice Anatomy

Head lice are very small, parasitic bugs about the size of a sesame seed. They feed off of human blood through the scalp several times per day. If a louse is knocked off of a host, it must feed within 1 to 2 days to survive. Head lice are light brown in color and can blend in well with most hair colors, making them sometimes very difficult to spot. They scurry quickly away from direct light as well with claws attached to the end of each of their six legs.  Female adult lice lay several hundred eggs in their 30-day life cycle.

 

Fact #2 – The Truth about Nits

Head lice eggs are called nits. Nits, yellowish white in color are laid very near the base of the scalp and are attached to single hair strands with a glue-like secretion that makes them difficult to dust or blow off. This is one of the best indications that you are dealing with nits and not dandruff or skin flakes. They will not brush off easily, rather they literally need to be peeled from the hair strand. Nits hatch with 7-9 days of being laid and a whole new generation of head lice begins to feed and grow.

 

Fact #3 – Head Lice Are A Pest and Nuisance

Some people believe that head lice pose health risks. Other people believe that treatment is not necessary because head lice actually do not pose health risks. Head lice are not considered a danger, yet if left untreated skin irritations from allergic reactions and bites can become infected. Although not significantly risky, sometimes medications are required to heal the infections. We recommend treatment for head lice as soon as possible once an infection is found. Especially because head lice are highly contagious and can easily be passed on from person to person in a household. Not treating head lice will lead to major infestations that are passed onto to many other victims. 

 

Fact #4 – How Are Head Lice Transferred?

The Center for Disease Control and Prevention indicates that the number one way people contract head lice is through direct head to head contact. This can mean any number of ways including a hug, sharing a seat, reading a book together on a bean bag, or even just brushing up against someone in a crowd. Nits and lice are prevalent on the nape of the neck, hooked onto clothing items, directly on the scalp and holding onto hair strands. For this reason, items that infected people use frequently that come into contact with the hair are the second most common way head lice are transferred. This means hats, coats, towels, brushes, hair ties, or any other items that could be carrying lice or nits. Children are the most at risk for head lice, especially those within the ages of 3-10. This is because of the time they spend around other children in close-knit places such as daycares, schools or homes.

 

Fact #5 – Lice Clinics of Texas Is Your Best Resource for Head Lice Treatment

Without a doubt, Lice Clinics of Texas is your fastest and most effective way to eliminate head lice from your home. Other methods will leave you with weeks of worry as new nits hatch and produce a whole new generation of head lice. Our staff will give you the best options for fast results to help you solve your head lice worries quickly! Call us today.