What are lice and nits?Head lice (plural form of louse) or Pediculus humanus capitis, are parasitic insects found on the head and, more rarely, the eyebrows and eyelashes of people. Head lice live close to the scalp and feed on human blood, which causes severe itching. Head lice develop in three stages: nit, nymph, and adult louse. The adult female louse lays up to ten eggs (nits) a day. Nits can be lighter to darker gray color, and they are glued to the hair shaft. Nits hatch into a baby louse (nymph) within one week. The nymph becomes an adult louse in 7 days.
What are symptoms of head lice?
What are symptoms of head lice?Common symptoms of head lice are itching, and irritation of the scalp, and small red bumps or sores found on the scalp and near the hairline.
How can I be certain we have lice?
How can I be certain we have lice?If you are not sure, send us a close-up photo and we will analyze it: Comb & Cure offers a free remote diagnostic service to you. The most obvious sign of head lice is the presence of lice and nits on the head. Inspect your child’s hair and scalp. Check for nits behind the ears, on the crown of the head, and at the nape of the neck. If the infestation is mild, it maybe difficult for an untrained eye to spot the few existing nits or nymphs. To prevent lice infestation we recommend obtaining a head check from a Comb & Cure professional lice technician.
What do lice look like?
What do lice look like?Lice are small, six legged insects the size of a sesame seed, grayish, or whitish brown in color and are found directly on the scalp.
How did we get lice?
How did we get lice?Lice infest regardless of social status and personal hygiene. Lice like CLEAN hair, as it's easier to attach to an uncoated hair shaft. Head lice come from head-to-head contact with an infested person or through contact with their personal belongings. While lice do not jump, hop, or fly, they move by crawling.
How do you diagnose lice infestation?
How do you diagnose lice infestation?Examination of hair and scalp are required. Diagnosis by Comb & Cure professional lice technician would involve searching for nits firmly glued onto the hair shaft, near the nape of the neck, behind ears, at the crown and front hairline.
How can we cure lice?
How can we cure lice?A head lice infestation can take over your home and family members! Countless hours are spent by parents treating head lice without eradicating it. The first step should be to promptly wash clothes and backpacks worn recently, launder bed linens, bath towels and vacuum the furniture to help stop the spread in your home. Professional lice technician will treat anyone in your household to clear the lice infestation.
Will lice pesticide treatments cure lice?
Will lice pesticide treatments cure lice?Pesticide treatments come in over-the-counter or prescription strength forms and while they kill some live lice they are not able to kill nits. Because of their protective shells, nits are very resistant to over the counter lice products that use pesticides and other toxic ingredients as a means of killing the lice. There are known risks associated with use of toxic pesticides, and risks outweigh the benefits. Pesticide treatments effectiveness has been diminishing due to lice developing resistance to pesticides. Many studies have further documented "super lice" evolution with known resistance to existing lice pesticides, and that many pesticide-based lice products are no longer achieving the high efficacy rates they once did.
How long can lice infestation last?
How long can lice infestation last?Lice can survive for up to 30 days and continue to reproduce. Head lice infestation occurs when a female adult louse makes it onto a new head and lays eggs. Adult female lice can lay up to 88 eggs during their lifetime. When eggs hatch, the lice will likely stay on that head throughout the entire lice life cycle. Unless the head is treated and all lice and eggs are eradicated, the lice infestation will continue.
How can we confirm all lice are gone?
How can we confirm all lice are gone?To feel sure that lice infestation has been resolved it is important to understand that finding nits on the head is not an indication of live lice. Freshly laid nits will be found near the scalp and in clusters of 3-6 nits. Old nits are located away from scalp; nits normally hatch in 7 to 14 days. Removal of all lice and nits is required to confirmation complete lice eradication.
How can we prevent lice?
How can we prevent lice?Head lice is most common among school age children. By checking your child's head every weeks, you will help prevent lice infestation in your home. Head lice will survive for only 24-48 hours once they are not on the host (head).