While our team at Lice Lifters of Mercer County is dedicated to quickly and professionally rid your family of head lice for you, we realize you may be a chronic do-it-yourselfer who wants to tackle this problem on your own. If so, you may want to check out the following tips, advice, and insight from those of us who know a thing or two about these pests. Learn more about our professional treatment process and how we eliminate lice in a single visit.
Diagnosing Head Lice
If you’re a parent, you probably already know that head lice are tiny, about the size of a sesame seed, parasitic insects that feed off blood under the scalp. They can’t jump or fly, but they can still spread from one of your kids to another by crawling if they make head-to-head contact, such as playing sports or putting their heads together to pose for a selfie. Because they can spread, you want to treat the problem quickly.
Why You Should Avoid Conventional Lice Treatment
Lice shampoos, both over-the-counter and the prescription variety, have toxins in them that can give your child negative reactions. These can include headache, nausea, the ringing of the ears, breathing problems, and other symptoms. In fact, the main toxic ingredient in some prescription medications is even banned in 52 countries. Also, most lice today have grown immune to these toxins over the years, so they don’t even work anymore.
This leaves the natural treatment route for the do-it-yourself inclined individual. This can still be tricky and comes with no guarantees, but you don’t have to worry about allergic or other reactions to toxic ingredients.
A Natural Head Lice Treatment Approach
One natural approach to getting rid of head lice involves a combination of heat treatment to dry out the lice and their eggs (nits), using a nit comb to remove as many as possible, and applying oil to suffocate any remaining lice.
A hairdryer can be used for the application of the heating step. You’ll want to use it for about 20 minutes total on medium heat. There are nit combs available for purchase for step two above and how-to videos online showing proper technique for using it to reduce the chances of missing nits. Coconut or olive oil can be used for the last step above to suffocate the lice. Of course, this step only kills the lice and not nits, so you’ll want to repeat it a couple of times with one-week spacing to kill any recently hatched nits before they can lay new eggs. Also, lice can hold their breath for hours, so you’ll need to put a shower cap on any children you’re treating and let them sleep with it on overnight. Check out our related article on Lice Season Isn’t Just Fall: Year-Round Prevention Guide for more information. Learn about our lice treatment services in Windsor.
When You’d Rather Not Deal With Head Lice Yourself
It is possible to attack this problem at home with natural remedies, but you also want to consider that your time is valuable. While home remedies can work, it may take several attempts at such an approach before you’re sure to be rid of all the nits and lice, so the problem doesn’t come right back a week or so later. Not to mention the mess and trouble of putting oil or mayonnaise on your kid’s head for many hours. Head lice can be frustrating to the point of making many parents want to shave their kid’s head and call it a day.
You’ll be pleased to know that going natural doesn’t mean having to go it alone. If you want this problem professionally handled quickly and at a price, you can afford, you’ll want to bring any infested family members to Lice Lifters of Mercer County. Our certified, compassionate lice technicians in Hamilton, NJ, can treat all of your infested loved ones at the same time and using our 100% safe, all-natural. Non-toxic products, we’ll get them lice free in a single visit. If you’re ready to take action, book your appointment at Lice Lifters of Mercer County today.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How long does professional lice treatment take?
A professional lice treatment session typically takes 60 to 90 minutes, depending on the length and thickness of the hair. Our trained technicians use a thorough comb-out process combined with our proprietary all-natural solution. Most families are lice-free after a single visit. Learn about our lice treatment services in Monroe Township.
Q: Is professional lice treatment safe for young children?
Yes, professional lice treatment is safe for children of all ages. Our treatment uses non-toxic, pesticide-free products that are gentle on the scalp. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends avoiding harsh chemical treatments, especially for young children.
Q: Do I need to treat the whole family if one person has lice?
We recommend having every family member screened if one person is diagnosed with head lice. Lice spread through direct head-to-head contact, and it is common for multiple family members to be affected. Early detection helps prevent reinfestation. Learn about our lice treatment services in Plainsboro.
Q: How soon can my child return to school after treatment?
Your child can return to school immediately after professional treatment. The AAP and CDC both advise against no-nit policies, stating that children should not miss school due to head lice. Once treated, the risk of spreading lice is minimal.
Q: What should I do at home after professional treatment?
After treatment, we recommend washing bedding and recently worn clothing in hot water and drying on high heat. Vacuum upholstered furniture and car seats. Follow any take-home instructions provided by your technician to ensure the best results during the 30-day guarantee period.
