Let's Get Down to the Nitty Gritty! Facts about head lice!

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EGG ON HAIR
Nits are lice eggs laid by the adult female head louse at the base of the hair shaft nearest the scalp. Nits are firmly attached to the hair shaft and are oval-shaped and very small (about the size of a knot in thread) and hard to see. Nits often appear yellow or white although live nits sometimes appear to be the same color as the hair of the infested person. Nits are often confused with dandruff, scabs, or hair spray droplets. Head lice nits usually take about 8–9 days to hatch. Eggs that are likely to hatch are usually located no more than ¼ inch from the base of the hair shaft. Nits located further than ¼ inch from the base of hair shaft may very well be already hatched, non-viable nits, or empty nits or casings. This is difficult to distinguish with the naked eye.

NYMPHS
A nymph is an immature louse that hatches from the nit. The nit shell then becomes a more visible dull yellow and remains attached to the hair. A nymph looks like an adult head louse, but is smaller. Nymphs mature after three molts and become adults about seven days after hatching.

ADULT LICE
The adult louse has six legs, each with a claw, and is tan to grayish-white. In people with dark hair, the adult louse will appear darker. Adults multiply quickly, laying up to eight eggs a day, and living up to 30 days on someone’s head. A louse can go two days without blood meals.

The vast majority of head lice in the United States are now resistant to most over-the-counter treatments, meaning that it's now especially difficult to vanquish the tiny blood-sucking parasites. 98% of lice have developed resistance to over-the-counter and prescription treatments, resulting in an effectiveness rate as low as 20%.

Unlike these products, our professional device uses controlled, heated air, to dehydrate lice eggs. You’ll leave our clinic lice free!

Our FloSonix heat device treatment is a great option to the ineffective over the counter treatments. This medical grade heat device treatment was designed specifically to target and dehydrate all nits. FloSonix has changed the game when it comes to treating and eradicating nits(eggs). 

Head lice have no wings and do not fly or jump, but they can crawl or run through hair quickly. Most commonly, head lice are spread by direct head-to-head contact with an infested person. They may also be spread by sharing personal items such as combs, brushes, other hair-care items, towels, pillows, hats, and other head coverings. Dogs, cats, and other pets do not spread head lice.

Head lice are most commonly found on the scalp, behind the ears and near the neckline at the base of the head. An allergic reaction to the bites causes the itching; only about 50% of people with head lice experience itching. The best way to confirm an active case of head lice is by finding a live nymph or adult louse on the scalp or hair. Adult and nymph lice are very small, move quickly, and avoid light, so they may be difficult to find. Using a fine toothed louse comb helps in correctly diagnosing head lice.

If you have lice, you will have nits/eggs in your hair. If you have nits, they have been laid by live lice. Nits do not spontaneously appear and are not themselves contagious.

Viable nits are usually located within 1/4 inch of the scalp. The nits are small teardrop-shaped eggs that show up differently in different colored hair. The darker your hair, the lighter the nits will appear.

Nits are essentially “glued” into the hair. They will not move without being pulled with some force with your fingernails. Once you get them to budge, they will only move up and down the hair shaft (rather like a bead on a bracelet.) If you pull it all the way off and lay it on a white napkin or tissue, it will have a brownish tint to it.

Dandruff will not be “stuck” in the hair, and will move if you brush it with your finger or blow on it lightly.

Tickling feeling of something moving in the hair.
Itching, caused by an allergic reaction to the bites of the head louse.
Irritability and difficulty sleeping; head lice are most active in the dark.
Sores on the head caused by scratching. These sores can sometimes become infected with bacteria found on the person’s skin.

Not everone gets itchy. The itchiness is caused by an allergic reaction to the the saliva when a louse bites the scalp. Not everyone is allergic to this saliva.

LICE PREVENTION
The sooner head lice are detected, the better. Quick action and preventive measures can minimize their spread and chance of returning.

Avoid direct head-to-head contact with others. This is the most common way lice is spread.
Don’t share brushes, combs, scarves, hats, pillows or hoodies.
Keep hair in tight buns or braids when around others.
Screen your child for head lice once a week to catch a case early and prevent spreading.
Be extra vigilant after returning from any school, camp, or holiday break (places where outbreaks tend to occur more often).
Take your own pillow and sleeping bags to sleepovers.
If you find head lice notify your school, friends, and family immediately to help curtail spread.