Green Bay, WI Head Lice Blog I Lice Clinics of America

Tips to Lower Your Odds Of Catching Lice

March 7, 2022/in Head Lice/by lcagreenbay

If you got head lice growing up, you’re not alone. In the United States alone, there are an estimated 6-12 million children between the ages of 3 and 11 that get head lice every year. When large groups of people come together, the risk of bumping heads with someone that has lice is significantly higher. Between the crowded space and the multitude of people between the ages of 3 and 11, it is clear why public schools make a great breeding ground for these parasites. Most doctors and parents take a reactionary approach to lice, only dealing with them once they are forced to, but there are a few proactive preventative measures that could help you prevent head lice. If you are worried about the transmission of head lice, here are some tips to lower your odds of catching lice:

Watch Your Head-to-Head Contact

One of the most popular misconceptions regarding head lice is that they can jump or fly from head to head. Thankfully for us, the only way that these parasites can travel is by crawling. That’s why keeping your head to yourself and away from others is the first step in lice prevention. Something as little as resting your head on someone’s shoulder can provide the head lice with the opportunity they need to spread.

Keep Your Hair Pulled Out of the Way

Having loose strands of hair makes head-to-head contact more likely. By putting your hair up and tucked away, you can lower your risk of tangling hairs with the wrong person. A simple braid, a bun, or even a ponytail could make all the difference when you are near a lot of people.

Do Not Use Fumigation

Discovering that you or someone in your house has head lice can be quite unsettling. Many people jump straight to the most extreme option, hoping for a quick solution. Fumigation is used as both a preventative and reactionary measure to eliminate pests in the home using a chemical fog. Not only is this method highly toxic, but it is not an effective solution to head lice. Lice cannot survive outside of the hair, so fumigation an entire house is overkill. There are simpler and less dangerous options to prevent and treat lice that do not involve gas bombing your own home.

Learn the Signs and Symptoms

One of the best ways to prevent the spread of head lice is by teaching your family about them. Knowing the signs and symptoms of head lice, as well as how they spread, is a huge part of preventing head lice from spreading to others. In some situations, the itching that alerts most people to their head lice is delayed or never starts, so it is important to be able to recognize other signs that you might have lice.

Lice Treatment in Green Bay Today!

Getting head lice is never fun, but there are a lot of ways that you can help prevent the spread of head lice. Here at Lice Clinics America, we work hard to both prevent and remove head lice. If you want to learn more or schedule an appointment visit us at our lice removal clinic in Green Bay or click the link at the top of the page.

Do Lice Prefer Specific Hair Types

February 17, 2022/in Head Lice/by lcagreenbay

Getting lice is no fun, and it begs the question, why me? Are the lice attracted to my hair specifically? Well, as nice as your hair may be, head lice are not picky when it comes to finding new homes. Head Lice needs one thing, and that is a hair that they can latch onto with a food source. There are a lot of misconceptions about head lice and their preferences regarding hair type.

Lice do prefer clean hair that is not thickly coated in gel hair spray but that does not mean that they won’t try anyway. A lot of people think that it is impossible for African American people to get head lice, but this isn’t true either. They can get head lice just like the rest of us, but wearing your hair in braids or cornrows can go a long way in preventing the spread of headlice. If a louse can get into your hair and attach to a strand, then the hair texture, color, and length are not going to stop it from turning your head into its home.

Hair Length Does Not Affect Head Lice

One thing that a lot of people get wrong is that they believe that lice only go for people with long hair or clean hair. This too is just another myth. Lice like short hair just as much as long hair, but having long hair can increase the likelihood of hair to hair contact with another person. If you are face to face with an outbreak of headlice, whether it’s in the home or at school, always check both people with long and short hair. Ph.D. and headlice specialist Bjorn Arne Rukke conducted a study across several Norwegian elementary schools to get to the bottom of what really mattered to these parasites when choosing a host. After combing through thousands of students, Rukke found that head lice were in fact most prevalent on students of medium-length hair, and those with short and long hair were about tied.

Lice Have No Preference on Hair Texture and Color

The same study also took a look at what type of hair color and texture the lice liked the most. Unsurprisingly, hair color turned out to not be a determining factor when it came to head lice decision-making. Hair texture on the other hand was a slightly different story. Rukke found that wavy hair had the highest number of cases, while straight hair had the least, and curly hair was in the middle. This doesn’t mean that you don’t have to worry about head lice if you have straight hair. Lice are just as capable of attaching to straight hair as it is to any other hair, so always try to avoid head-to-head contact if you are worried about head lice.

Lice Clinics of America in Green Bay

If you are looking to get rid of lice or know someone that is seeking lice treatment, then get in contact with us as soon as possible. Here at Lice Clinics of America in Green Bay, we offer top-of-the-line lice treatment, and we can have you lice-free in just one visit. If you would like to book an appointment or learn more about headlice, click the link at the top of the page or call us at (920) 600-8918.

The Best HairStyles to Prevent Lice

February 8, 2022/in Head Lice/by lcagreenbay

Direct contact is the cause for the spread of all head lice infestations. Luckily, there are a few simple precautions you can take to keep you and your hair lice-free. The contact necessary for the spread of lice usually occurs during group photos, hugs, and pillow sharing. There are a lot of people that believe lice can jump head-to-head, but as this is not the case, something as simple as putting your hair up can go a long way when it comes to head lice prevention. If you are worried about the possibility of getting lice at your next group outing, then try out one of these lice-resistant hairstyles.

Top Buns Help Stop the Spread of Lice

Having long hair increases the risk of contact with other people that have lice, so the best thing to do is to keep your hair as close to you as you can. One of the simplest and most practical ways to do this is with a top bun. The tighter and higher up the bun, the less likely it is to brush against others. There are plenty of bun styles to choose from, but a ballerina bun is a great choice for keeping your hair tucked and out of the way. Having loose hairs and dangling strands is not the way to go if lice prevention is your goal.

Prevent Lice by Wearing Tight Braids

The function of the braid is the same as the bun; to keep all of your hair nice and tidy and out of the way. That being said, the braid won’t provide quite as much protection as a bun because the hair will maintain more length braided than bunned, but it still goes a long way in the prevention of an infestation. A simple three-strand braid is enough to do the trick, but the nice thing about braiding is that there are a lot of styles to choose from. Group photos are one way that lice can get from head to head, but it’s always important to look your best, so if you are looking for a more fashionable hairstyle, maybe try out a french or a fishtail braid.

Classic Ponytail to Prevent Lice

Not great with hairstyles? Not a problem. Simply putting your hair in a ponytail can still help prevent the spread of lice. Though you may not get as much protection from a ponytail as you would a braid or bun, keeping your hair up and away is one of the first steps in preventing an infestation.

Lice Treatment in the Green Bay Area

There are a lot of different ways to prevent the spread of head lice and putting your hair up is one of the easiest ways to do that. Here at Lice Clinics of America, we specialize in professional lice treatment and prevention. If you would like to learn more about lice prevention or schedule an appointment, give us a call at (920) 600-8918 or click the link at the top of the page.

Important Things to Remember If You Have Lice

January 21, 2022/in Head Lice/by lcagreenbay

If you or a loved one has lice there is no need to freak out. Stressing out about these annoying creatures will not help clear your scalp of them. Lice Clinics of America in Green Bay is here to remind you of a few different things to remember if you have lice.

You Should Not Cut Your Hair

Once lice are located on you or a loved one do not rush out to cut your hair! Lice are not affected by short, long, curly, or straight hair. Changing the length of your hair or how you style it will not get rid of the lice and will not keep you from getting lice again in the future.

Treat Lice As Quickly As Possible

When a loved one or yourself has lice treat it right away. The most effective and efficient way to treat lice is to go to a lice clinic near you. Lice Clinics of America in Green Bay uses a patented machine called the AirAlle machine. This machine treats the entire head and scalp with a safe level of heat to dehydrate the annoying little bugs. This machine has a 90-minute treatment and does not need a second treatment. Leaving lice in your hair and not treating it for an extended period of time can result in an itchy scalp, scabs, and sometimes diseases.

Lice Removal Drugstore Kits are Bad For You

Do not put your scalp through one of the lice removal kits from the drugstore. Many over the counter lice removal kits are full of toxic chemicals that harm the scalp. Although they are affordable, home remedies are not the most effective treatment. You may need to purchase several kits and do multiple rounds to completely get rid of all of the lice. Many lice treatment centers in Green Bay offer much better, non-toxic, sprays and oils to help prevent and treat lice.

Stop Taking Selfies

The only way to get lice is through head-to-head contact. Remember, lice do not jump and cannot fly, these are just myths. So, avoid touching heads with anyone around you at all costs. Keep your head to yourself until you are completely lice-free and keep your head away from anyone that may have lice.

Learn About Our Services with Lice Clinics Of America in Green Bay Today!

Dealing with these annoying little bugs should be left to the trained technicians. Whether you need a monthly head check, want to buy toxin-free products, or want to schedule an appointment for the AirAlle device treatment Lice Clinics of America in Green Bay has it all for you. Visit one of our lice removal locations today.

Are The Chemicals In Head Lice Remedies Dangerous To the Body?

January 6, 2022/in Head Lice/by lcagreenbay

Lice are an extremely common, extremely irritating problem. What can start as just a few head lice can quickly turn into an infestation, so it’s no surprise that lice patients are willing to try almost anything to get the little critters out. The most popular at-home remedies include using things like peanut butter or mayonnaise to kill the parasites, but these methods are far from effective. As a result, many people opt for a chemical treatment, hoping for a quick fix. What most people don’t know is that many chemical lice treatments have a high potential to be harmful to both the body and the environment.

Lindane lice shampoo

Possibly one of the most popular chemical remedies for head lice is Lindane lice shampoo. What may appear on the shelf to be a harmless, quick, and easy fix to your lice problem is actually a bottle of high potency pesticide. This second-line lice treatment has been classified by professionals as extremely hazardous. The pesticide contained in the shampoo is banned in 52 countries, and rightfully so. The chemical in the shampoo is a neurotoxin that when absorbed through the skin of the lice, causes paralysis and eventually death. What they don’t mention on the bottle is that this same neurotoxin can be absorbed by human skin as well, potentially leading to some serious health issues. This toxin can cause damage to the nervous system, kidneys, and to your liver. The US has only banned its use agriculturally, yet it is still used to clean the hair of small children. On top of all that, the bottle doesn’t come with warnings, and there is controversy surrounding the actual effectiveness of the shampoo.

Carylderm/carbaryl

Carylderm is a slightly less common treatment for headlice. This chemical is a hazardous pesticide as well, so obviously there is a risk involved with this method of treatment. When doing tests on rats, it was observed that this chemical was responsible for causing cell mutation. Scientists believe that if the pesticide were to be accidentally ingested by a human patient, they would likely experience some of the same cell-mutating that the rats did.

Stromectal

This medication, taken in pill form, is considerably safer than the two previously mentioned, though it is reserved for patients that have head lice infestations. This treatment contains Ivermectin, the same chemical used to treat heartworms in dogs. Though it isn’t as dangerous as the chemicals previously mentioned, side effects include dizziness, headaches, and diarrhea

Permethrin

Found in almost every lice treatment kit, is the chemical permethrin. This chemical is advertised as both safe for your hair and for your home, but as it turns out, this isn’t exactly the case. This chemical is a neurotoxin that targets the nervous system of the lice, causing spasms, paralysis, and then death. The bottle warns us that if the chemical comes in contact with the skin, it should be rinsed off immediately, and if it is inhaled, then you may lose the ability to breathe. On top of that, there are multiple side effects including weakness, irritation, and nausea.

Lice Clinics of America in Green Bay, Wisconsin

Lice Clinics Of America is a lice treatment center dedicated to chemical-free treatment for head lice. We offer a guaranteed, same-day lice treatment at all of our lice removal locations. If you want to learn more about lice or our chemical-free lice treatment, contact our lice treatment center of America at our Green Bay location today.

Staying Lice Free During the Holidays

December 17, 2021/in Head Lice/by lcagreenbay

When seeing all of your family and friends staying lice free may seem like a challenge. With a couple adjustments you and your family can avoid those little bugs in a big way. Here are a few ways to possibly prevent a lice outbreak at your holiday plans.

Avoid Head-to-Head Contact

The only way to contract lice is by your head touching the head of another person who has lice. Good news is lice do not jump or fly but lice can grab onto strands of hair. While taking family pictures and selfies for Facebook try to stand with your heads apart.

Use Peppermint Essential Oils

The mint smell deters lice from wanting to cling. If you are trying to check yourself for lice nits or even prevent lice stay away from kits you can purchase at local drugstores. These kits are often filled with chemicals that are harmful to the skin. Instead use peppermint essential oil or peppermint spray.

Style Your Hair Close to Head

Head-to-head contact is the only way to get lice, but you can help prevent outbreaks by styling your hair tight to your head. When you wear ponytails or buns it makes it harder for lice to get a grip on hair strands and get to the scalp. They do not fly or jump but they can grab onto hair strands.

What to Do If I Get Lice?

Whether before, during, or after your holiday plans if you or a loved one find lice in your scalp go see an expert. Lice Clinics of America Green Bay has a patent AirAlle device that completes an efficient treatment in less than an hour. They also can-do head checks and standard comb throughs of the scalp.

Contact Us at Lice Clinics of America in Green Bay Today!

After reading these tips on how to stay lice free during the holidays, if you get lice you can handle it quickly. Head into our expert lice treatment center in Green Bay, WI, and try our AirAlle treatment today. With several different treatment plans and expert technicians giving head checks we can help any lice problem. Visit our website for more information at: https://liceclinicsgreenbay.com/

Dangers of Untreated Lice

December 7, 2021/in Head Lice/by lcagreenbay

Almost everyone is familiar with the symptoms of head lice. The irritation, the rash, and the constant, insatiable itching usually provide enough motivation to seek treatment sooner rather than later, but what would happen if you were to try and wait out the lice situation? Lice don’t live very long, so maybe it would work, right? Nope. Though lice do only live for about a month, they have plenty of time within that period to reproduce, lay eggs, and spread to others. Lice get down to business as soon as they can get cozy in your hair, so it is important to deal with them before they have time to reproduce. Here are some of the problems that can occur from delaying head lice treatment.

Cellulitis and Bacterial Infection

One of the first major problems that come from delaying head lice treatment is a bacterial infection. Once head lice have set up camp in your hair, the scalp usually becomes very irritated and itchy. Scratching at the irritated skin leaves tiny cuts, cuts that allow the saliva of the head lice to enter the bloodstream. Once the bacteria from the saliva has gotten under your skin, infection is soon to follow. Cellulitis is just one form of infection that stems from untreated lice. If the infection continues untreated, it can spread to the lymph nodes, elevating the situation from a regular case of head lice to a life-threatening bacterial infection. Once the situation progresses to this level, it takes a substantial course of antibiotics to eliminate the infection.

Spread to Others

The biggest issue that comes from delaying head lice treatment is that it allows for the problem to spread to others. Once lice find a food source, making eggs becomes the number one priority. One might as, “how long can lice live off humans?” Once the head lice starts laying eggs, the infestation will only worsen exponentially until something is done to take care of the lice. One louse can give produce from six to eight eggs every day, which means that just one of these little parasites can make over two hundred more of itself in just a few weeks. Lice can spread from head to head but they can also get onto the surfaces around us. By waiting to get treatment, lice are given more time to spread from your head to the people around you, whether it be directly or from something you were in contact with. If you want to do the right thing, be sure to take care of the lice before they have a chance to harm others.

Lice Clinics of America

If you know someone that thinks they might be dealing with head lice, then it is important that they seek treatment as soon as possible. Head lice doesn’t go away over time. Here at Lice Clinics of America in Green Bay, we provide the largest professional lice removal service, with over 1 million successful treatments. If you want to know more about head lice treatment, or you are interested in booking an appointment, select the book now button at the top of this page.

What to Do and What Not to Do with Lice

November 15, 2021/in Head Lice/by lcagreenbay

Finding out you or a loved one has contracted lice may cause a panic. Lice are a pesky little problem, but it is treatable. With Lice Clinics of America in Green Bay and these tips you can find the perfect method to treat the lice and a few methods to stay away from them!

What to Do When you Have Lice

When you discover you have lice it is important to leave it to the professionals. Going to a lice treatment clinic like Lice Clinic America in Green Bay will guarantee you are not only treating your infestation but doing it efficiently. Speak with the professionals about how to comb out your hair or get treated with our revolutionary AirAlle technology.

Once you have done this make sure to wash all of your laundry. Bedsheets, clothes, any furniture covers, and blankets around the house should be washed. Lice die when put through high heat for at least five minutes. Wash all of your laundry in hot water and then follow up with a high heat drying cycle. This is also when you should wash and sanitize all hairbrushes and accessories in hot water. Anything that may hold lice but cannot be washed easily, like shoes, should be put in a plastic bag for a minimum of two weeks.

What Not to Do with Lice

When lice are found it is important not to rush to your local store and grab any at-home kits. These kits are full of harsh chemicals that can damage the scalp. Other at-home remedies like mayonnaise, Vaseline, and vinegar are also not efficient ways to treat a lice infestation. Remember lice cannot fly, they only travel from one head to another. When you are dealing with lice do not take any selfies or pictures where your head is touching someone else’s head.

Visit Lice Clinics of America in Green Bay Today!

After reading what not to do with lice and how to start treatment when you get lice you can confidently handle lice infestations. Stop the panic and head into our professional lice treatment center in Green Bay, WI. With several different treatment plans and professional head checks we can help any lice problem. Contact us or make an online appointment at: https://liceclinicsgreenbay.com/green-bay-wi-lice-removal/

Common Signs and Symptoms of Lice

November 10, 2021/in Head Lice/by lcagreenbay

Lice are a huge problem, especially in elementary and middle schools. 21 million kids ages two to seventeen get head lice every year, so if you’re dealing with head lice, you are not alone. The symptoms of head lice can appear differently depending on the person. Everyone knows that head lice cause an itchy scalp, but that is not always the most reliable way to determine if you have lice. The itching can take weeks to start, so it’s important to keep the other signs and symptoms of headlice in mind.

Signs of head lice

Most people react to head lice the same way, with an itchy scalp. What most people don’t know is that this reaction does not always occur. The itching can take up to two weeks to begin, and by then the parasites will have had lots of time to spread to others which is why it’s important that you know how to spot a case of head lice before It’s too late. Here are some other signs of head lice that will help you identify the issue before it can spread to others.

‘Flakies’

Head lice are small, light brown, or yellowish bugs that are only about 1 to 3 millimeters in length, and the eggs they lay, called nits, are off-white. As the lice reproduce, it is likely that some of them will make their way out of your hair and onto the surfaces around you. Given their size and color, it’s pretty easy to see how these bugs can be mistaken for the white flakes we all know and love, dandruff. You can tell the difference by trying to remove them. Dandruff will flake right off, but lice will hold on tightly to the roots of the hair.

Bumpy rash

Having an itchy scalp is bad enough but itching from lice can lead to a bacterial infection that can cause bumps and rash. The most common places that this rash appears are behind the ears, around the neck, and on the crown of the head. If the infection persists, it can result in a fever, swollen lymph nodes, and will need a course of antibiotics to cure.

Lack of sleep

Even if the itching hasn’t started, lice can still cause you to miss out on a good night’s rest. If you pay close attention, you can feel the lice moving around on your scalp. This tiny moving sensation can tickle and prevent you from getting a night of restful sleep.

Lice treatment near me in Green Bay, WI

If you have been noticing these signs of head lice, or if you want to learn more, contact us today. Here at the Lice Clinic of America in Green Bay, we can guarantee a lice-free scalp without the use of harmful chemicals. If you or someone you know needs help with lice removal, then visit our lice clinic in Green Bay.

Steps to take when detecting lice in your hair

October 18, 2021/in Head Lice/by lcagreenbay

Finding out that someone close to you has lice can be a major concern for many. That being said, lice affect millions of children and their parents every year, so don’t worry, you’re not alone. If you aren’t sure you have head lice, there are a few tricks that can help you figure out exactly what is going on. Here are a few steps that you should take if you are checking for lice.

Get a good view of the problem

Due to the tiny size of these little parasites, they can be very hard to spot. The best way to spot them is to find a well-lit room and slowly comb through the hair at the roots. If you are still having trouble spotting them, there is a special flashlight called a wood light that makes them easier to spot. You should be looking for tiny dots of white or yellow-brown in color. Many people mistake the itchiness associated with dandruff for lice. The easiest way to tell if something is dirt, dandruff, or lice is by trying to move it. Dead skin and dirt will come right off, while nits will stay in place no matter what. Some good places to look are behind the ears, the hairline, and the back of the neck, as that is where lice usually gather.

Lice treatment

Now that you know your head is itching from the lice and not a serious case of dandruff, it is time to act. Most of the at-home remedies that you have likely heard of are old wive’s tales. As much fun as it would be to shampoo your hair with mayonnaise and wear a trash bag on your head all day, it has shown to be an ineffective cure for head lice. The only true way to guarantee a lice-free scalp is by visiting a professional lice clinic. Lice Clinics of America are one of the only organizations that provide a chemical, and medication-free lice removal service that guarantees a clean scalp.

The comb-out method

Many people think that the comb-out method is a treatment for head lice, but that is simply not the case. This method is reserved for after the treatment, once all of the lice and nits have been killed. The comb is for getting the lice bodies that are still attached to the roots and hairs of your head. The first step is to get the hair completely wet, and then go through section by section to comb out the nits. It is important to wipe off the comb as you go so that you don’t undo any of your hard work. It is a time-consuming process. keep going section by section, from the roots of the hairs to the very tips. Rinse and repeat, and soon enough you will once again have lice-free hair.

Time to Bring Your Child in for Head Lice Treatment in Green Bay, Wisconsin

Skip lathering your child’s head in mayonnaise or other disastrous home remedy solutions and bring yourself into Lice Clinics of America in Green Bay, WI. Our lice treatment center is fully equipped to handle head lice and make sure it’s a nightmare you don’t have to deal with.