Feeling itchy and scratching your head may be the first signs of head lice. However, only 50% of the population experiences an itchy sensation. Every individual experiences different levels of sensitivity. Children and adults may have a tickling sensation or the feeling of something moving about on the head. Rashes and bumps may be evident on the scalp, nape of neck, or behind the ears, which is a common reaction due to sensitivity to lice residue. It is most common for nits (eggs) to be attached to the hair, which may look like dandruff but cannot be easily removed by brushing or moving the hair. Other symptoms may include bags under the eyes, swollen glands, low-grade fever, restless sleeping and/or feeling tired during the daytime.
In August of 2010, the American Academy of Pediatrics Council on School Health produced its first report on head lice. The document noted increased patterns of resistance among head lice to over-the-counter products designed to kill lice and their eggs. Although head lice never disappeared in the United States, their prevalence was once so low because of the widespread use of the neurotoxin DDT. Until its ban in 1972, many children growing up during those years had no concept of head lice outbreaks.
Head lice are typically spread from direct head-to-head contact. This happens in a variety of ways, including during playing, sports, school, camp and slumber parties (almost anywhere!). As lice cannot survive longer than 24-48 hours away from the scalp, direct contact is the usual method of transmission. It is possible, though less likely, to contract lice through shared combs, brushes, hats and helmets.
No one is immune to head lice. Head lice have been found on infants as young as two months, all the way to the elderly.
For the most part head lice are simply an irritating problem. While their saliva can produce an allergic reaction in certain individuals, these reactions are generally mild compared to the potentially toxic risks involved with commonly available lice shampoo products. Meticulice uses only non-toxic products that are safe and effective.
Begin by parting the hair into small sections, looking closely at the scalp for small dandruff-sized nits or sesame seed-sized adults. A magnifying glass and good lighting will be of assistance as you look. Adult lice move fast, and there are usually only a few of them. Nits are often found around the ears and the nape of the neck. Due to the glue-like substance with which nits are attached, they are difficult to remove. Nits can camouflage themselves to be the same color as the host’s hair, making it very difficult for the untrained eye to detect them. If you uncover just one adult louse, nymph or nit, you must treat yourself.
If you find lice on your child’s head, take care of the problem immediately. Each day left untreated is an opportunity for head lice to reproduce, worsening the infestation and likelihood of spreading it to others.
Yes, it is our experience at Meticulice that nits will eventually hatch, and a full-blown infestation will occur if left untreated.
In choosing to treat your child yourself, it is essential that all family members are thoroughly screened and treated at the same time. It is then that the home environment and car should be cleaned. We recommend the use of Meticulice’s non-toxic treatment products, followed by vigilant lice combing and nit-picking. It is essential that this be performed at least once a day, for a two-to-three-week period. As long as evidence of head lice continues to exist during your at-home treatment, you will need to repeat the cleaning routine in the home.
It is essential that all family members are thoroughly screened and treated at the same time, to help eliminate re-infestation within your home.
The completely non-toxic enzyme contained in our treatment product is designed to attack the exoskeletons of the lice in order to quickly immobilize them and loosen the fixative that cements nits to the hair shaft. While some lice may be killed by the enzyme, and the product increases the efficacy of removal, it the manual removal of every adult louse, adolescent nymph and egg (nit) that results in success. Without the removal of every nit, the risk of infestation remains.
Be wary of products that claim to completely kill head lice, since elimination of lice depends upon removal of nits (eggs), which cannot be killed by ANY product. The commercially available products contain insecticides, to which it has been proven that lice have developed a resistance to. The only confirmed way to completely remove a case of head lice is to manually remove every louse, nymph and nit.
No! Pets cannot catch head lice or pass them on to people. Head lice are specie-specific, which means there is a different species of lice for every animal species. Children who come home with lice cannot transfer the infestation to their pet cats, dogs, birds, or hamsters. Likewise, the lice that live on pets cannot live in human hair.
No. A case of head lice occurs only because of contact with someone else with head lice. In fact, head lice prefer clean hair. They are attracted to whatever will provide the best environment for their survival.
It is important to know that many lice-removal products contain neurotoxins, which are hazardous agents that may be harmful to the nervous system. These agents have been linked to various serious side effects. Through the continued use of these products, the evidence is mounting that head lice are becoming resistant or immune to them. Additionally, the combs that are included in these over-the-counter kits are extremely ineffective.
The natural, non-toxic products that Meticulice uses, endorses and sells are extremely effective when used in conjunction with our comprehensive treatment process. The combination of our products and manual nit removal add up to successful elimination.
