Lice Blog - All About Lice in Medway MA

Halloween Scares Mean More Head Lice

October 18, 2018/0 Comments/in Head Lice, Holidays, Lice Clinic /by LCA Medway

When the full moon rises and ghosts and goblins haunt the streets, the last thing on your little trick or treaters mind is head lice. Yet, as a parent, what could be more terrifying? Here a few not so scary tips to preventing your little one from catching head lice this Halloween.

Did you know?

Head lice are more prevalent at Halloween time than most other times of the year.
Lice Clinics of America sees an increase in head lice cases after Halloween because symptoms usually take about three weeks to manifest.
Children sharing masks and costumes makes them more vulnerable to catching head lice.
Wigs are especially problematic as children pass them from friend to friend to try on.
Anytime children are in a situation where they are involved with other children the risk of head lice increases.
Parents rarely think to launder or disinfect a Halloween costume or it’s pieces.

How can I protect my child against head lice this Halloween?

Talk to your children about how head lice are passed on. Direct head to head contact is the most common way. Second to that is the transfer of head lice or nits through infected clothing items, such as hats, wigs, masks, hoods, coats, or any items worn near the head.

Perform head lice checks to ensure your child is not carrying head lice. Purchase a nit picking comb and look through your child’s scalp. Be sure to watch for signs and symptoms of head lice or nits. These include:

Red bites or bumps on the scalp
Itching and irritations
White or transparent colored eggs laid near the base of the scalp. These will not flake off easily like dandruff.
Adult lice crawling around the scalp, brown in color and the size of a sesame seed.

If you feel overwhelmed by this or want some expert help, Lice Clinics of America offers head lice screening at your local clinic. We can give you tips, details about what to watch for and help you determine if you have a head lice problem. We also offer preventative products and the most effective head lice treatments available today.

When your child wears a costume to a neighborhood or school party, take the time to wash or disinfect their costumes before they wear them again for Halloween night. This includes masks, hats, robes or all pieces that are included that nits or lice could attach to.

What do I do if my child has caught head lice this Halloween?

Remember that head lice will haunt you for weeks if you do not properly treat for them. Washing with water and shampoo is not effective. MedicoRX shows us that head lice are capable of holding their breath for up to eight hours. Super lice that are more and more prevalent across the country show strong immunities to over the counter shampoos.

Don’t let head lice become a scary problem for you! Call our Lice Clinics of America office today to talk about our preventative measures and ask questions about the latest, and most amazing products available that will eliminate head lice in a single application.

October National Bullying Prevention Month

October 10, 2018/0 Comments/in Head Lice, Parenting, Schools /by LCA Medway

Bullying is a national problem that parents should be alert and conscientious about. Bullying is defined on kidshealth.com as “ intentional tormenting in physical, verbal, or psychological ways. It can range from hitting, shoving, name-calling, threats, and mocking to extorting money and possessions.” Cyberbullying and targeting on social media is especially prevalent in our day and age.

A national survey on StopyBullying.gov shows that about 49% of children in grades 4–12 reported being bullied by other students at school at least once during the past month, whereas 30.8% reported bullying others during that time.

If your child has head lice, they can become a prime target for bullying. Keep in mind that although the word may get out about a head lice infestation, care should be taken to be discreet and deal with the problem by only telling trusted individuals that need to know. This is a situation that should be taken seriously. Here are some expert tips on how to deal with and prevent bullying.

What Should I do If My Child is Bullied for Head Lice?

As a parent, your first goal would be to help your child understand that having head lice does not make them dirty or gross. In fact, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention state that up to 12 million children will catch head lice in the United States this year alone. Although it can be hard for children to understand, explain that most people will experience this problem in their lifetime. The following list is ideas on how to help your child is they are being targeted.

-Depending on your child’s personality there are several approaches that might work. Talk to them about standing up to the bully. Using a firm and strong, yet calm voice tells them to back off. This will show the bully that they are not an easy target.

-Some children will do better to make light of the situation. If they can laugh it off, their aggressor might be taken by surprise and not think the situation is fun anymore.

-Children who do not do well with anxiety or pressure will find it best to simply find an adult and walk away. If a group of children is bullying them this can be difficult. At the first chance, help them see that they should get away and remove themselves from the situation.

-Find a trusted adult who will help. Talk to your child about NOT hiding their feelings and trying to deal with it alone.

–Don’t fight. Getting physical will only escalate the problem.

–Make a plan for future situations with a trusted adult. Keep up the communication to ensure the problem is resolved.

Check out StopBullying.gov for more helpful information.

Beat Head Lice Before It Happens

September 27, 2018/0 Comments/in Head Lice, Lice Clinic, Parenting /by LCA Medway

Head lice are literally a human parasite. Blood-sucking pests that can create a lot of problems in a household, especially with children. No one wants to think about head lice or ever deal with them. But, what if you could prevent them in your home?

Now granted, there is actually no way to completely guarantee your family will never encounter head lice. However, there are some proactive parenting steps you can start to follow to better protect your family. And maybe even catch the problem very early on if you do ever have to deal with head lice.

ProActive Tips to Help Prevent Head Lice:

Help Kids Understand What Head Lice Are.

When you ask a small child about head lice they can come up with some pretty wild answers. A lot of kids really don’t even understand what head lice are. A first good step would be to educate your own children on what head lice look like, where they live, what they eat, and how they live. A useful website to look at together would be Easy Science for Kids. They have a lot of great information that kids can get interested in.

Teach Kids How Head Lice Are Caught.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimate that each year in the United States about 12 million children between the ages of 3-10 will catch head lice. That number is only on the rise, thanks to a new form of super lice and rising numbers in infestations at jr. high and high schools. Kids of all ages need to know that head lice are most often passed along through direct head to head contact. That means leaning in for a selfie, sharing a bean bag during reading time, or sleeping in the same bed at a sleepover are all bad ideas. You never know who might be carrying head lice and when you could be susceptible. It’s also important to remind them about hair brushes, hats, hoodies, etc…all things that could transfer head lice.

Understand the Signs to Watch For.

Every parent should learn the signs and symptoms of head lice. It is much more than simply having an itchy head. After someone has caught head lice, the first symptoms can actually take up to three weeks to manifest. This is because it takes time for nits, or lice eggs, to hatch and their numbers to grow. Once head lice are fully infesting a scalp you will likely find an average of 10-12 lice on the scalp. They will continue to lay nits, translucent colored oval eggs laid very near the base of the scalp. Signs will include the white colored eggs that are not easily pulled off, itching, scalp irritation from fecal matter and saliva, and red bite marks on the scalp. Nighttime can also become a sign if your child is complaining of a tickling sensation on the scalp.

Check Scalps for Symptoms Often.

It is a really good idea for every parent to check the scalp of their children frequently. Depending on the activities they are into, time spent with friends, etc….there are some children who are obviously more prone to infections from spending more time around other children. Checking for nits or lice symptoms often could help you get ahead of the game! Lice Clinics of America also offer head lice checks if you are not sure what to look for. They also have professional nitpicking combs available to help you sift through the hair more easily.

Head Lice Checklist: Mark Each Step

September 20, 2018/0 Comments/in Head Lice, Lice Clinic /by LCA Medway

To improve your chances of eliminating head lice the first time, it can be important to ensure all proper steps are taken. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention tell us that this year between 6 to 12 million children between the ages of 3-10 will acquire head lice. That means any adults, teens or elderly living with children this age are also more at risk for infection. Following the proper steps once you have discovered there is a problem is the only way to solve your head lice headache.

Steps for Eliminating Head Lice:

Take care to screen everyone in your home. Remember pets play no role in transferring head lice.
Find the best solution treatment for your family. Lice Clinics of America offer excellent remedies that will kill head lice and nits in a single application at our clinic. They also provide at home kits with active ingredients that prove to eliminate head lice if used as directed. The professional staff at Lice Clinics of America is your best source for understanding how to effectively kill head lice and rid your family of this pest.
Deep clean bathroom items and all hair accessories. The most common places that lingering lice and nits are found will be on items used on the head. Hats, beanies, hoodies, towels, and clothing that touches the head need to be machine washed. Hair picks, hairbrushes, hair clips, or any other items used need to be disinfected. Place items in bleach water for 30 minutes. Rinse. Items should be fine to reuse.
Deep clean bedding. Place all bedding and pillows into the washing machine and wash in hot water. Items that are unable to be machine washed such as decorative pillows, stuffed animals, or fine blankets should be placed in the dryer on a high heat setting for 20 minutes. If you prefer, items may also be placed into a plastic bag and tied tightly for up to a week. Head lice and nits cannot survive for longer than 48 hours after they have left their human host.
Couches, car seats, carpets, and other chairs. Anywhere that an infected person may have laid their head needs to be wiped down or vacuumed to kill any head lice or nits. It is possible for others to become infected from sharing these same seats with others who have head lice. Although, remember the most common way head lice is passed is through direct head to head contact.
Check for head lice often. Repeat infection is common if these items are not thoroughly complete, and sometimes even if they are. Head lice can be extremely difficult to get rid of, especially if several people in the home have contracted it.

Lice Clinics of America is your head lice headquarters. We can offer expert advice on any of these steps if you have further questions or concerns. We deal with head lice every day and are happy to help your family through this difficult situation. Please contact our office today for any reason!

How Head Lice Happened to Us

September 13, 2018/0 Comments/in Head Lice, Lice Clinic, Parenting /by LCA Medway

I, like many other moms and dads out there, thought that I had done a pretty good job about teaching my kids to avoid sharing hairbrushes so that they wouldn’t get head lice. Never had the reality of the situation occurred to me that this is merely one small piece of the head lice puzzle.

I have three kids, all active in sports and school activities. My oldest is a high school cheerleader. She spends a lot of time with her squad practicing, riding on long bus trips, and even spending the night together after football games having pizza and watching movies. She loves it. I love watching her blossom and grow from it.

Before one game she sat down on the ground in front of me and I started to french braid her hair. I noticed a few white specks that I peeled off and kinda just brushed to the side. No big deal, it was probably hairspray residue or dry scalp. We went on with life and I didn’t give it a second thought.

Little did I know that two weeks later I would go to help her with her hair again and find several white specks, except this time there was a lot more and they were clearly something to be alarmed about. I dug through her thick, long hair and inspected her scalp. She had head lice! My initial response was honestly anger. I did not have time to deal with this! How did this happen? Where did she get it from?

After we washed her hair with some lice shampoo, combed through it a few hundred times and washed everything in super hot water….I felt pretty good about the situation. I didn’t think any of my other children had gotten it and it actually wasn’t that big of a deal in the end.

I couldn’t have been more wrong. My first mistake was not thoroughly checking my other children for the weeks following. My other daughter also had head lice. They share a bedroom and a bathroom and she had gotten it from her sister. Not only that, but my favorite little cheerleader had a full-blown case of head lice again just a few weeks later! I was blown away by this.

I pride myself on being a clean person. In my mind, I had gone above and beyond in cleaning beddings, towels, clothing, etc. I didn’t understand how the problem had returned.

At this point, I finally confided in another mother from the cheer squad. She told me that several of the girls had contracted head lice. Ah…that makes sense. Now at least I knew the source of the problem. Next, she told me about Lice Clinics of America. They had educated her and helped her to actually get rid of the head lice, not just wash a few of them down the drain. I was grateful for the help and kicking myself at the same time that I hadn’t sought out some professional help sooner.

Ultimately, Lice Clinics of America solved our head lice problem. I was relieved and so grateful for their knowledge. The head lice game has changed a lot since I was a kid. Over the counter shampoos just aren’t working anymore and the word is not getting out like it should. I hope more parents read this and understand the first step they should take is seeking out professional advice! Take my word for it.

Consider Your Options for Head Lice Treatment

September 7, 2018/0 Comments/in Head Lice, Lice Clinic /by LCA Medway

When someone in your household contracts head lice many questions can race through your mind. One frequent question parents ask us is, “How long will it take to get rid of head lice?”

The answer varies greatly depending upon which treatment option you decide is best for your family. The good news is, we offer treatments that are guaranteed to eliminate head lice and their eggs as quickly as possible! Here is the low down on what different approaches many people take to eliminating head lice.

Treatment Option #1 – The AirAllé Device

The BEST and most effective treatment is the AirAllé device, an FDA medically cleared treatment that uses dehydration to effectively kill head lice and their eggs in a one-time treatment. If you are fed up with head lice, want the problem solved quickly and do not want to worry about in-home treatments, this is the option for you!

Pros: Lice Clinics of America Medway offers in-clinic treatments using the AirAllé device. We can provide this 90-minute long application and guarantee that you will leave our clinic head lice free. This procedure also proves to be cost effective as it is a one time fee, rather than spending weeks of purchasing expensive shampoos and powders.

Cons: Obviously, cleaning and disinfecting your home and belongings is also a key component to eliminating the problem for good. Make sure that you thoroughly deep clean to ensure there is no reinfection.

Treatment Option #2 – At Home Treatment Kit

Another route many parents opt for is the take-home treatment kits we provide at Lice Clinics of America Medway. These kits provide everything you need to shampoo, remove nits or eggs, and provide at home treatment for your head lice problem.

Pros: At home treatment kits we sell, unlike over the counter shampoos from drug stores, will effectively kill head lice and their eggs. They can be done on your own time at home and reused when necessary, as directed. The gel application is easy to use and not too messy. Everything you need is offered in the kit!

Cons: The applications often need to be reapplied 10 days apart. The process takes more time and patience to be able to eliminate all head lice and their eggs.

Treatment Option #3 – Over the Counter Shampoos and Home Remedies

All across the internet, you will find blogs giving home remedy suggestions from suffocating head lice with mayonnaise, to using essential oils on the scalp. Also, local drug stores offer many varieties of head lice shampoos and powders with the active ingredient, pyrethrin. This has been shown to not be effective any longer on many types of head lice as they have developed immunities to this treatment over the years.

Pros: Inexpensive and done at home. However, after multiple applications, the cost does add up.

Cons: This option is one that we do not recommend, simply because there are no real results. Many parents spend weeks and many different types of treatments on these products without getting rid of their head lice problem. This results in stress, wasting money and ultimately an even bigger head lice problem as more family members have had the chance to become infected as well.

Journal Jars Great For Kids Mental Health

August 31, 2018/0 Comments/in Parenting /by LCA Medway

When kids are growing up they will have many different emotions and situations that they can learn from and eventually come to treasure. Many parents have learned that an excellent way to help children deal with situations, feel more secure in life and learn from their problems is by writing their feelings and thoughts out in a journal. It also helps them to actually understand how they are feeling and learn to express it.

Take an empty Mason jar and let your child decorate the outside however they choose. Print out a copy of these Journal Jar prompts and cut each question out into an individual strip. Whenever you decide, have them pull out a question and write the answer in their journals. Maybe every Sunday afternoon they write for ten minutes or every day if they love it! This is a great way to capture some of their most precious childhood moments and make some new ones as well.

Journal Jar Prompts for Kids

I love it when my mom…..
I love it when my dad…..
My favorite holiday time tradition is….
How many dreams do you remember having and what were they about?
Who is your favorite superhero and why?
When I grow up I want to become a……
What is my favorite past time and why?
Who is my best friend? What do I love about this person?
Why do I enjoy school? What would I change about school?
If I could learn one new skill it would be…
My hero is……. And why I want to become like them?
What has been the scariest thing to happen to you? How did you overcome it?
What is the best thing to happen to you?
Who do you want to be like when you have grown up and why?
If you could run your school for one whole day what would you do differently?
Which subject in school is your worst and what can you do to be better?
How many people do you think you have helped? How?
What are you good at that you can get really, really good at?
What musical instruments do you like and want to play?
Which type of music makes you want to dance?
Is there something you really want to do in life but you are kind of afraid to?
How are you like your mother?
How are you like your father?
Tell me about your grandparents? What memories of them do you love the most?
If you had $100 what would you buy?
How many people help you during the day? How?
If you woke up one morning and you had turned into an adult, what would you miss most about being a kid?
What skill do you want to develop that you are not very good at right now?
Why is school important to you? What can you do to make it better?
If you lived to be 100 years old who do you think you will become?
Where have you visited that you loved to go?
Where would you go on vacation if you could do anything?
Who would you spend the night with camping if you could choose?
What sport do you wish you could get really, really good at?
What is one thing that has been hard for you that you overcame?
Have you ever made someone really happy? What did you do and how did you feel after?

Back to School, Back to Head Lice

August 23, 2018/0 Comments/in Head Lice, Schools /by LCA Medway

Here at Lice Clinics of America Medway, back to school times are one of our busiest. August and September see a definite increase in the case of head lice infestations and parents calling worried about preventing head lice for their children. As a general rule, when children are spending more time together, they are at greater risk for passing on head lice.

Remember, you can always contact the professional staff at Lice Clinics of America to answer any additional questions or concerns you may have. Here are a few things that every parent ought to pay attention to this back to school season.

Quick Lice Facts for Parents

Head lice do not fly or jump. They are only able to use their claws to crawl from hair strand to hair strand. This is why they are most commonly passed along through direct head to head contact. Is your child sitting closely next to a new friend laughing over selfies on their phone or sharing a book? That’s all it takes to pass along head lice.
Head lice is NOT a sign of poor personal hygiene. Head lice will take any host they can get. That is an old myth that is completely false. Anyone can get head lice.
Keeping your daughter’s hair pulled back into a ponytail, bun or braid is a quick way to help protect her against head lice. It is not foolproof, but long, loose hair is more likely to come into contact with someone else who is carrying head lice.
Head lice are only able to survive off of a host head for 48 hours. This means that bedding, clothing, hair accessories or items harboring had lice can be a means for transferring them if used within two days of someone else who has head lice.
If your child shares a locker or a desk, items can be contaminated with head lice as they are thrown together in small, tight spaces.

Signs of Head Lice to Watch For

Symptoms of head lice do not usually manifest for up to three weeks of actually catching the bug. This is because it can take a while for head lice to multiply and cause itching or irritation.
Watch for nits or lice eggs that are laid very near the base of the scalp. These eggs will be almost transparent in color and attached to a single hair strand with a glue-like substance that makes them difficult to remove.
Itching, soreness, red bites or irritants are a clear indication that head lice are present. This can worsen at night when your child is trying to sleep and more aware of what they are feeling.
Usually, 10-15 adult head lice will be present on a person’s head who is infected with head lice after symptoms have totally become apparent. If you thoroughly exam the scalp you may be able to actually see an adult louse. They often scurry away quickly to avoid light or hide within the scalp and therefore can be quite difficult to spot.
The staff at Lice Clinics of America Medway offer professional head lice checks if you are unsure what to look for. We are happy to evaluate your situation and give you our best recommendations for eliminating your head lice problem quickly and affordably. Call our offices today to end your head lice concerns.

Five Things You Forgot to Clean for Head Lice

August 15, 2018/0 Comments/in Head Lice /by LCA Medway

One of the first things a parent can feel when faced with a head lice outbreak is the need to clean everything in sight! We worry that head lice or nits, lice eggs, could be anywhere that our children have been in contact with. The truth is, head lice will only live for 48 hours after they are separated from a host head. This means, if they do not hitch a ride on a new host within that time, they will not survive. Unfortunately, our children do come into close contact with many items on a daily basis we might not think to clean. Here’s a few you might want to double check:

#1 – Children’s Stuffed Animals

Children all over the world love to snuggle with their furry friends. In fact, one recent study relates that children who cuddle up with a favorite stuffed animal at night are less likely to experience anxiety. What could cause anxiety more than a bout of head lice? If your kid is feeling extra stress from having head lice, or maybe even losing sleep from symptoms of itching, feeling the crawling sensations on their scalp or just plain anxiety, they may be reaching for even more stuffed friends. It is essential that you gather all items in their room that could potentially be carrying head lice or nits and place them in a warm dryer for 25 minutes on a high heat setting.

#2 – Hoodies and Jackets

It’s easy to see how this could be overlooked. You are not thinking about items that head lice might have fallen down on or briefly touched your child’s head. However, hoodies or jackets are a concern and could have traces of head lice or nits. Make sure that if items are not washable you take proper steps to sanitize them and ensure they are free from head lice.

#3- Items from School Locker

Jr. High and Schools are being impacted by head lice more than ever. If your teen is showing symptoms of lice, make sure to clean out all the contents of their school locker. Even if you have lockers at home, a new mudroom concept that is very popular, take steps to sanitize and clean any items that could be carrying head lice.

#4 – Headphones from Smart Devices

Although head lice are most commonly passed from direct head to head contact, it is possible they can be transferred from items that are near to the scalp and head. Head lice are most commonly found near the crown of the scalp and hiding behind or near the ears. For this reason headphones could be a culprit for transferring and carrying head lice or nits. Especially if your teen or preteen is into sharing headphones with classmates or friends, make sure they are properly cleaned and not leaving traces of head lice.

#5 – Sports Equipment

If your kid is into sports it can seem like a stretch to have to wash and clean all of their sports equipment for head lice. We aren’t suggesting that cleats, hockey pucks or shin guards could be your problem. Instead, think of anything that comes into contact with the head, helmets, earpieces, shoulder padding, jerseys, etc. Even a gym bag where dirty clothes are thrown altogether after a grueling practice needs to be thoroughly cleaned. Make sure that especially headgear is not shared during the season and not thrown into piles near all the other player’s equipment as well during practices or games.

Head Lice: A Common Problem

August 10, 2018/0 Comments/in Head Lice /by LCA Medway

When the dreaded head lice problem hits your home a thousand questions can flood your mind. Is this a common problem? How did my kid get head lice? Who gave it to them? Is it going to harm them? Lice Clinics of America Medway is your best source for figuring out your head lice problem. We want to walk you through the answers to these questions, and any others you may have during this process.

Here are a few things every parent might want to know when dealing with head lice:

-Head lice is a normal, common thing many people deal with. In fact, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention tell us that roughly 12 million children in the United States between the ages of 3-11 will become infected with head lice each year.

-Teens in Jr. High and High School are catching head lice more and more often. Call it a selfie induced dilemma, blame it on their need to constantly share videos on smartphones, but whatever the case may be, teens are also bringing home head lice at an increased rate.

-Across the country, head lice is a top three reason for students to miss school. Check with your school district to make sure you understand what to expect with the school. No-nit policies are still in effect in many areas, but being changed quite often to help prevent students from missing too much school unnecessarily.

-Head lice are transferred most commonly through direct head to head contact. It can be caught through sharing things that are worn or used on the scalp as well such as hair accessories, brushes, helmets, hats, hoodies, etc.

-Most often adults that catch head lice are infected through small children that live in their home. All members of a household should be screened for head lice when one family member is showing symptoms. Lice Clinics of America offers head lice checks by a professional staff member if you need help determining.

-Head lice like clean and dirty hair alike. They show no preference for one or the other. This means the old rumors people hear that head lice equal poor hygiene are completely false. Although personal hygiene is a key part of eliminating head lice, it plays no role in becoming infected with it.

-Household pets like cats or dogs play no role in the transfer of lice. Head lice are a human parasite.

-An adult louse or a nymph that loses its human host will live up to 48 hours without a food source. This means things like hair brushes, couches, or pillows could have live lice on them that need to be killed. Washing items in a hot cycle and then drying them will eliminate any live lice or eggs that may be present. For hair brush items, soak them in bleach or boil them on the stove top to sanitize them. Wipe down furniture and vacuum it well.

-Most importantly, remain calm! Lice Clinics of America is your source for all things head lice. We understand the pressure you are feeling and the panic that can set it. We are here to answer your questions and give you real solutions at affordable prices. Call our lice clinic today to schedule your visit!