Head Lice Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What causes head lice?
Head lice cannot jump or fly and they are not transferred from pets. Lice are caused by direct head-to-head contact or through sharing personal items such as hats, helmets, and jackets with hoods.
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What are the signs and symptoms of head lice?
A tingling feeling that something is moving on your head * Excessive itching and scratching * Sores on the head that can cause scalp/skin infections from bacteria under the nails
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How can I be sure that I have head lice?
Head lice are small bugs but visible to the naked human eye, having a friend or family member check is the best choice. Nits (eggs) are attached to the hair shaft and appear to be tiny whitish-brown rain drops. Still not sure? Send us a "Nit Pic" for a free assessment. Make sure to take the picture directly under light with close ups of both your scalp and hair shafts. It is very important to check everyone in your home for lice. Head lice treatment is a process, and in order to get rid of these little nits everyone in the home must be a part of that process. Thorough and extensive combing is the only way to get rid of them, and Nit Nurses can do just that.
What is the difference between Nits, Nymphs, and Lice?
Lice Eggs (nits): Nits are the tiny brownish eggs that adult lice lay and cement to hair shafts. They are often confused as dandruff and ignored until the infestation of adult lice is noticed. Nits hatch within 8-9 days.
Nymphs: Nymphs are immature and newly hatched lice. They feed on human blood and become full adult lice within 9-12 days
Lice: Once lice reach full maturity they are known as "adult lice" and are fully capable of reproducing. About the size of a sesame seed, just like nymphs, they feed off of human blood. Lice can live on the human scalp for 30 days and each female can lay up to 6 eggs per day
Why do head lice cause an itchy scalp?
Itching is caused by an allergic reaction to the louses' saliva as it bites the scalp. While most people are made aware of head lice by the itching, not everyone will be allergic to their saliva, causing the infestation to persist before the lice are noticed. Lice bites are similar to mosquito bites in this way.
Why are head lice resistant to the over-the-counter treatments?
Head lice have started to build immunity to over-the-counter treatments and prescription shampoos do to frequent use. It is similar to the "Super Bugs" created by the overuse of antibiotics. Over-the-counter treatments contain toxic insecticides and parents should always consult a health care provider before treating their family with these products.
Can Home Remedies such as Mayonnaise, Vinegar, Vaseline, Listerine, or Olive Oil really treat and get rid of head lice?
Some head lice sufferers turn to natural head lice home remedies in search of the magical cure. You can find testimonial after testimonial online from them exclaiming that mayonnaise or Vaseline got rid of their lice problem, but did it really? Olive Oil, Mayonnaise, and other products are said to work by suffocating head lice. Because lice can hold their breath for up to 8 hours, these natural remedies require that the treatment stay on the hair for at least 8-9 hours. Once the treatment is complete, the hair is rinsed, bugs fall out, and their is immediate relief from itching. It Must Have Worked !!! So off they go to the internet to tell of their success. Unfortunately for them, what they do not realize is that this method of head lice treatment does not kill the nits (lice eggs) that are still cemented to the hair preparing to hatch every day for at least the next 6-9 days. This is why extensive and thorough combing is still required.
Do head lice spread disease?
While head lice are not known to spread disease, they do cause excessive itching and scratching that can lead to secondary skin infections from bacteria under the nails.
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​​​Can African Americans get head lice?
While head lice is less common in African Americans due to hair type, it's still possible. Nit Nurses has treated head lice in many people including African Americans. As long as you have human blood you are fair game.
Why Over-the-Counter Head Lice Treatments From the Pharmacy Don't Work?
Every year parents run out to their local CVS pharmacy, Rite Aid, and Walgreen's to pick up head lice treatment shampoo and products that just do not work, and they are left begging the question why. The truth is that while most of these products will kill some of the live lice, the do no at all kill the nits (eggs). So while your family may feel immediate relief directly after using an over-the-counter product, 1-2 weeks later the infestation will be evident again when the eggs hatch.
How do you get rid of head lice?
Head lice can only be removed by extensive, skilled and thorough combing to remove all of the lice and nits. If even one louse or nit remains, so will the infestation. Nit Nurses are trained to remove every nit and louse to get rid of the infestation and get you back to your life.
How do I prepare for my appointment with a Nit Nurse?
Before Nit Nurses arrives, strip all bedding and begin the washing and drying process. Clean linen should NOT be replaced on the bed until after your treatment as not to cross contaminate. Find a comfortable chair and a well-lit area in your home for the setup. If children are being treated, prepare their favorite cartoons or video games.
Please Note: Wiggly children don't bother nit nurses and we don't expect any child to remain still during the entire treatment. And because we only charge a flat rate, and not an hourly fee, you don't have to worry about your wallet when they need to take a break. If possible, wear a shirt that buttons up in the front. This prevents re-infestation after the treatment.
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