Question 1

What are head lice?

Accepted Answer

Head lice are tiny insects that live on the human scalp and feed on human blood. Lice can be seen on the scalp when combing through the hair. Lice are roughly the size of a sesame seed. Dandruff will appear on the scalp during a lice infestation but this is actually the used egg of the louse.

It is important to treat lice as soon as possible as the lice on your scalp will continue to lay eggs and reproduce. Head lice are found worldwide and is one of the most common children's diseases, second only to a common cold.

Question 2

What do head lice look like?

Accepted Answer

Head lice are small (they look like dandruff on dark hair). They're usually white and yellowish and hard to notice, especially on light color hair.

Question 3

Lice do not jump nor do they fly, so how can they be so contagious?"

Accepted Answer

Head lice have nothing to do with hygiene. Children are most susceptible to head lice merely because of their life style. With many children at school and on the playground, they are constantly and unknowingly rubbing heads and infecting each other with head lice. Head lice effortlessly crawls or falls off from one head to another. Sharing hats, brushes is another common way to transfer head lice.

Adults are not immune to head lice as they are just as easily effected but their life styles don't usually rub heads with other adults on a constant basis. Adults normally get head lice from their own children. Head lice can also survive outside the head and without human blood for at least five days.

Question 4

Can animals and pets get infested with head lice?

Accepted Answer

Head lice are specific to humans, they will not bite or feed on your pets. However, pets can be carriers of lice.

Question 5

Why does head lice itch so much?

Accepted Answer

Head lice feed on human blood and fluids. They bite your skin to feed and that's what causes itching - typically around the ears and back of the neck. Head lice is similar to that of a tick or mosquito, where they fill their flat bodies with your blood and become bloated. Scratching the itch doesn't kill head lice and can result in skin infections.

Question 6

How do we get rid of head lice?

Accepted Answer

Nits are attached to hair using a glue-like substance, which makes them impossible to remove using regular shampoos and combs. Even though a number of off-the-shelf products are available for home remedy - it is highly recommended to let professionals handle treatment and removal, since missing even a single nit can result in re-infestation.

A number of home remedies and off-the-shelf products do exist but have a typical rate of failure. It's important to launder as many material-based items in the house after lice removal treatment to prevent re-infestation.

Question 7

Can lice continue to live in my house or on my clothes?

Accepted Answer

Head lice don't survive outside of humans for more than 5 days. However, they can hide in clothes and linen. It's important to launder as many material-based items in the house after lice removal treatment to prevent reinfestation. Hair Wizards professionals will instruct you on best practices available, to avoid future problems if possible.

Question 8

Whats is the difference between Hair Wizards Treatment and an off the shelf product?

Accepted Answer

Even though a number of off-the-shelf products are available for home remedy - it is highly recommended to let professionals handle treatment and removal, since missing even a single nit can result in reinfestation. These products are can also be dangerous to your health and even result in burning the scalp.

Hair Wizards Salon specializes in utilizing the latest eco-friendly, non-toxic and 100% safe organic products, utilizing highly skilled professionals, concentrating on a single task - fast, safe & complete removal of head lice infestations, backing it up with 100% Satisfaction Guarantee.

Question 9

How can I tell if my child has head lice?

Accepted Answer

Common signs include an itchy scalp, frequent scratching, a crawling sensation, or finding live lice or nits attached close to the scalp. Lice and nits are often easiest to find behind the ears and near the nape of the neck. If you're unsure, a professional lice screening can help confirm whether an active infestation is present.

Question 10

What are the first signs of head lice?

Accepted Answer

The first signs may include scalp itching, scratching, or a feeling that something is moving in the hair. However, some people have head lice without noticeable symptoms at first, so checking the scalp and hair carefully is important when exposure is suspected.

Question 11

How do you check for lice at home?

Accepted Answer

Use bright lighting and separate the hair into small sections. Carefully examine the scalp and hair, particularly behind the ears and around the nape of the neck. A fine-tooth lice comb can help identify live lice and remove them from the hair.

Question 12

How can you tell the difference between lice and dandruff?

Accepted Answer

Dandruff and other scalp debris can usually be brushed or pulled away easily. Nits are firmly attached to individual hair shafts and can be difficult to remove. When you're uncertain, a professional screening can help determine whether you're seeing lice, nits, dandruff, or another type of scalp debris.

Question 13

Can you have lice without an itchy scalp?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Itching is common, but not everyone with head lice experiences it immediately. It can take time for itching to develop, so the absence of itching does not necessarily mean there are no lice.

Question 14

How long does it take for lice eggs to hatch?

Accepted Answer

Lice eggs hatch as part of the head lice life cycle, which is why treatment and follow-up checks are important. A treatment that removes active lice but leaves viable eggs can be followed by newly hatched lice. A professional lice-removal process focuses on both lice and nits.

Question 15

How long can head lice live on a person's head?

Accepted Answer

Head lice are adapted to living on humans and need blood meals to survive. They spend their life cycle on the scalp and hair, where they feed, mature, and reproduce.

Question 16

How long can lice survive off the human head?

Accepted Answer

Head lice generally do not survive for long away from a human host. While items that have recently touched an infested person's head can be addressed, extensive home fumigation or treating every surface is unnecessary.

Question 17

Can lice live on pillows and bedding?

Accepted Answer

Lice can occasionally end up on items that have recently been in contact with an infested person's hair, including bedding. Washing and drying recently used bedding and clothing can help reduce the chance of lice remaining on these items.

Question 18

Can head lice live on furniture and carpets?

Accepted Answer

Head lice are primarily adapted to living on human hair and the scalp. They may temporarily end up on furniture, carpets, or other objects, but they do not establish an infestation in the home like fleas can. Thorough vacuuming of areas where an infested person has rested can be sufficient for environmental cleaning.

Question 19

Should everyone in the family be checked for lice?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Because head lice can spread through close contact, it is a good idea to check household members when one person has an active infestation. Treat people who actually have lice rather than automatically treating everyone.

Question 20

Can one family member get lice again after treatment?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Reinfection can happen if someone in close contact still has an active infestation or if treatment does not completely eliminate the lice. Checking household members and following appropriate follow-up procedures can help reduce the chance of recurring cases.

Question 21

Why do lice keep coming back after treatment?

Accepted Answer

Recurring lice can happen for several reasons, including incomplete removal, newly hatched lice, reinfestation from another person, or an ineffective treatment. If live lice remain after treatment, it is important to reassess the situation rather than repeatedly applying products without determining why the treatment failed.

Question 22

How do I know if lice treatment worked?

Accepted Answer

A successful treatment should result in the removal of live crawling lice. Follow-up checking is important because some treatments may not eliminate every egg during the initial treatment. If live lice remain, professional evaluation can help determine the next step.

Question 23

How soon can a child return to school after lice treatment?

Accepted Answer

School policies can vary, so parents should follow their child's specific school or district requirements. In general, head lice are spread primarily through close head-to-head contact, and appropriate treatment should begin as soon as an active infestation is confirmed.

Question 24

Can head lice spread at school?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Schools and other places where children have close contact can provide opportunities for head lice to spread. The most common route is direct head-to-head contact rather than lice jumping or flying between children.

Question 25

Can head lice spread through hugs?

Accepted Answer

Head-to-head contact during close interactions such as hugging can provide an opportunity for lice to crawl from one person's hair to another's. Lice do not jump or fly, so direct contact between hair is the primary concern.

Frequently Asked Questions About Head Lice Removal