HEAD LICE INFESTATIONS

While anyone can become infested with head lice, this problem most often afflicts children. Lice are very small, parasitic insects that love the warm, moist environment under your hair. They are typically found within a quarter inch of the scalp since they feed off the blood underneath it. Anywhere from 6 to 12 million lice infestations a year are reported among children under the age of 11 in the United States. Learn more about our professional treatment process and how we eliminate lice in a single visit.

SPOTTING HEAD LICE

In spotting head lice, it helps to know that they have three growth stages. These include the nits, nymphs and the louse stage. Nits are eggs. They’re called nymphs when they’re in their juvenile stage up to 9 to 12 days after hatching. Beyond this point, they are considered an adult louse.

When parting your child’s hair to search for them, look for an individual louse to be about the size of a sesame seed. Nymphs will, of course, be smaller, and both nymphs and lice are a grayish tan color. The nits will be fastened near the bottom of hair shafts close to the scalp and can be mistaken for dandruff except the glue-like substance that holds them to the hair follicle makes them very difficult to remove. Check out our related article on Lice on the Loose? Natural Ways to Clean Your Furniture for more information.

PREVENTING HEAD LICE

Since lice have legs and not wings, they have to crawl wherever they want to go. Most will be content to stay where they are on one child’s head, but if given the opportunity, such as when your child makes direct head-to-head contact with another child, they can crawl over to their head. This is why, as a parent, you should tell your kids to avoid such direct contact in which hair touches that of their friends. Also, let them know to avoid sharing anything worn on another child’s head because they may not know who could be infested with lice.

LICE TREATMENT IN MONTGOMERY COUNTY

In the event that prevention fails, you’ll be happy to know about Lice Lifters of Montgomery County. At our professional head lice removal company, we do a head check on your loved one to verify that lice are the problem. We then use a completely safe and all-natural lice treatment process that gets your infested family members free of this problem in a single visit. If you’re in the Montgomery County area, our head lice removal company is a convenient and affordable option for you and your entire family, so please contact us today for an appointment. If you’re ready to take action, book your appointment at Lice Lifters of Montgomery County today.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How can I tell if it is lice or just dandruff? If you are in the area, learn more about our Spring House lice treatment services.

Dandruff flakes easily brush away from the hair, while lice nits are firmly attached to the hair shaft near the scalp. Nits are small, oval-shaped, and often yellowish or white. If you are unsure, a professional head check can provide a definitive answer.

Q: Can lice spread through water or swimming pools?

Head lice can survive in water by clinging tightly to hair strands, but they do not swim or spread through pool water. The CDC notes that chlorine in pools does not kill lice. However, sharing towels or brushes at the pool can lead to transmission.

Q: Do lice prefer clean or dirty hair?

Head lice do not have a preference for clean or dirty hair. Lice are attracted to the warmth of the human scalp and feed on blood, regardless of hygiene. Getting lice is not a reflection of cleanliness or personal habits. Families near Gwynedd Valley can also visit our lice treatment near Gwynedd Valley page for local details.

Q: Can my pets get head lice from my child?

No, human head lice cannot live on pets. Lice are species-specific, meaning human lice can only survive on human hosts. You do not need to treat your pets or worry about them spreading lice within your household.

Q: Is itching always a sign of head lice? We also offer head lice treatment in Linfield for nearby families.

Not always. Some people with lice experience little or no itching, especially during the first few weeks of an infestation. Itching is caused by an allergic reaction to lice saliva, and up to 50% of people with lice may not itch at all. Regular head checks are the most reliable way to detect lice.