NO ITCH, NO LICE: FACT OR FICTION?

Often, the telltale sign that a child has contracted lice is vigorous head-scratching. It’s no wonder that infected kids itch like crazy – head lice bites can be very irritating to the scalp. Should you or your child experience this kind of discomfort, it’s a sign that head lice have taken up residence and multiplied, and it’s best to seek professional treatment immediately before the problem spreads or worsens.

But what if just one of your children is itchy, while the rest of the family seems fine? Or, your school has experienced a lice outbreak, but your children are showing no signs of scratching? While your first instinct may be to heave a sigh of relief that you’ve beat the odds, you’d be wise to proceed with caution.
professional treatment

The fact is that while many people do experience pronounced itchiness and discomfort when infected with lice, others seem relatively unbothered by the presence of these parasites. Some people’s skin is simply more sensitive to lice bites, just as skin irritants like mosquito bites or certain cosmetics can cause varying reactions in individuals.

What’s more, the life cycle of lice play into symptoms and their emergence. A louse has three life stages – egg, nymph, and adult. Once a female louse lays its eggs, or nits, it can take more than a week for them to hatch. The nymph is an immature insect that takes a week to reach adulthood. Once mature, an adult louse can live up to 30 days on a human head with regular feedings of blood – yuck!

All that said – and gross out factor aside – a child can be completely symptom-free for the first week or so of infection. It can be difficult for the untrained eye to even see tiny nits attached to the hair shaft. By the time itching starts, lice are firmly established and reproducing rapidly. 

The earlier you can detect infection and start lice elimination treatment, the faster and more easily the issue can be remedied. If you’re facing risk factors such as an infected family member, friend, or classmate, don’t rely on scratching and itching for diagnosis. Carefully check the roots of your child’s hair for nits and lice, and if you’re uncertain give Lice Lifters DFW a call. A professional head check can give you the peace of mind you need, and if treatment is needed, our natural and nontoxic protocol is 100% safe for your family. At Lice Lifters DFW, we’re here to help – call 972-805-1308 or contact infodfw@licelifters.com.

MYTH BUSTERS: LICE LIFTERS EDITION

Part of our mission at Lice Lifters is to make a difference by spreading the truth about lice, how we get them, and how to get rid of them. Nevertheless, myths abound in popular culture, and well-intentioned parents find themselves bombarded with falsehoods on a regular basis. Today, let’s take a look at some of the most common myths surrounding lice and dispel them once and for all.

Lice Myth

MYTH #1: Lice prefer dirty hair.

Not true! These creatures are equal opportunity and do not discriminate on the basis of shampooing frequency. In fact, lice may be more likely to infect clean hair because it is easier to attach to a squeaky-clean hair shaft, even more reason to visit a lice treatment clinic.

MYTH #2: Lice can inest your home.

False! Lice can only live away from a human host for 24-36 hours – they can’t even live on your pets. The eggs, or nits, cannot survive if not attached to a hair shaft. That said, excessive cleaning measures in the home are simply not necessary. A good vacuuming and hot tumble in the dryer for any bedding or stuffed animals should be sufficient.

MYTH #3: Lice like long hair.

Sure, lice like long hair – and short hair as well! Bottom line: boys or girls with short hair are not protected from lice any more than those with long tresses. Even kids with buzz cuts can get lice! If there’s an outbreak in your area, check long- and short-haired family members with equal scrutiny to see if you need lice removal services.

MYTH #4: If I’m not itchy, I can’t have lice.

Wrong! Only about half of people who carry lice experience stereotypical head scratching. It is lice bites more than the lice themselves that cause itching, and it can take 3 to 4 weeks for the bites to become an issue. If one family member is diagnosed with lice infection, have everyone checked regardless of symptoms – mom and dad, too!

If you suspect a lice outbreak in your family, the best thing you can do to prevent spread is to start treatment immediately. Using a professional service like Lice Lifters is the easiest way to eradicate the problem before it spirals out of control. We offer head checks for the entire family and apply the cost of the check toward our guaranteed treatment. Plus, you’ll love that our highly effective protocol is safe, natural, and nontoxic. Should your family be the target of these persistent parasites, please get in touch with the Lice Lifters team – call 972-805-1308 or contact [email protected].

OUR BEST ANTI-LICE TIPS FOR THE HOLIDAYS & BEYOND

Season’s Greetings from the Lice Lifters DFW Team

As I reflect back on our first year here at Lice Lifters DFW, I’m thankful for so much – with our wonderful customers topping the list. Without their support, we could not have met with such success, and it has been a pleasure providing a valuable service to the DFW community. To any customers who are reading, thank you from the bottom of my heart!

As a small token of my appreciation, I’d like to share my own, personal, all-time favorite tips for keeping lice at bay. Some of them are well known, and others not, but all are great tips for preventing lice infestation in your family. Without further ado, here they are:

  • The Lice Lifters Mint Detangling Spray: This amazing product not only detangles hair like a dream, but deters lice as well. Its effectiveness comes from the divine smell of mint – heavenly to us, but detestable to lice. Pick some up in our shop today, and use this as a preventative measure with your family.
  • Never share combs and brushes with friends: Don’t do it. Period. End of story.
  • Skip selfies with friends: This seemingly harmless practice breaks the number one rule of avoiding lice infestation – avoiding close head-to-head contact. Lice can’t survive for long without a human host, so giving them direct passage from one head to another is the most surefire way to catch creepy crawlies from unsuspecting friends.
  • Pony up. If you have long hair, pull it up into a single ponytail. Containing hair makes it harder for lice to take hold.
  • Y.O.P. (Bring Your Own Pillow): Avoid sharing pillows at sleepovers. While lice can’t live long on inanimate objects, it’s better to not take chances. When kids stay over with friends, pack a pillow.

How-to-Kill-Lice

Thanks again to everyone out there who has helped us get off to a great start at Lice Lifters DFW. We’re proud to offer safe, natural, non-toxic head lice treatment. Should unwelcome guests (ahem) arrive over the holiday break, please don’t hesitate to get in touch – call 972-805-1308 or contact me at [email protected].

FESTIVAL OF LIGHTS, OR FESTIVAL OF LICE?

The Truth About Lice During Winter and the Holidays

As temperatures drop, we generally see a drop in insects and other pests. Sadly, this does not apply to head lice populations, and you might even notice more infestations in your community. For one, all of those cozy hats, scarves, coats, and other wintertime accessories we love to wear make it that much easier to spread the nasty critters. We also tend to spend more time indoors and in closer quarters, and all that togetherness means we’re sharing more than holiday cheer – we’re sharing nits and head lice as well.

While the odds of your kids coming home with unwelcome, six-legged guests may be heightened during the holidays, there’s no need to despair. By following a few simple tips, you can reduce your family’s risk of head lice infection so you may not have to visit a lice treatment center.

lice

  1. Avoid coat racks: While head lice can’t fly or jump, they do crawl, and a crowded coat rack at school allows them the opportunity to migrate. Head lice can’t live long without a human host, but they might just survive long enough to hitch a ride home with your child! If possible, have your kids hang coats and other winter wear on the backs of their chairs at school.
  2. No sharing: This rule applies year-round, but winter hats, earmuffs, and scarves provide additional temptation to swap gear. Let your kids know that this is not the time to practice sharing!
  3. Check heads regularly: Especially if you’re aware of frequent outbreaks in your area, consider checking your family’s heads regularly for head lice and nits. It’s always easier to treat an infection sooner rather than later, and before the lice have spread to all family members.

Should your best efforts fail, and you find your family in the midst of a lice outbreak, early lice treatment is your best defense for eliminating the pests once and for all. There’s no need to let head lice spoil your holiday season when swift treatment is available. At Lice Lifters DFW, we offer head checks for the entire family, and fees for this service are waived when a treatment plan is pursued. We feel good about our natural, non-toxic head lice treatment, and guarantee results. For more information, get in touch with us at Lice Lifters DFW – call 972-805-1308 or contact me at [email protected].

Can You Use Your Health Savings Account for Lice Treatment?

Can You Use Your Health Savings Account?

Here at Lice Lifters DFW, we get questions from time to time about whether Dallas & Fort Worth lice treatment is a Health Savings Account (HSA) or Flexible Spending Account (FSA) approved expense. The truth? It’s a gray area – a big one. Read on to learn more about the exciting world of HSAs and FSAs (read tongue in cheek), and lice and nit removal.

First off, what are HSAs and FSAs? If your family is enrolled in a high-deductible health insurance plan, you can take advantage of the tax benefits of an HSA, while the FSA is available only for those with employer-sponsored health plans. Both are savings accounts that afford tax advantages for approved medical expenses. Approved healthcare expenses can run the gamut – from acupuncture to x-ray.

Lice Treatment Frisco, TX

So is lice removal an approved expense? Possibly. HSA and FSA holders have met with different levels of success in this realm. Many plans will reimburse head lice treatment expenses after you pay for the service and submit an itemized receipt. Some may require a physician’s note recommending lice removal. Contact your plan administrator for clarification – should your insurance company give you the go ahead, we are able to accept most HSA and FSA credit cards for treatments. Again, please check with your insurance before hand or give us a call at Lice Lifters DFW.

If your HSA or FSA does not cover lice treatment, the service may still be deductible on your family’s tax return – your tax consultant can offer details. In addition, a limited number of health insurance policies may cover head lice removal, so it never hurts to call your insurer and ask.

We love being experts in our field – lice and nit elimination may not be glamorous, but the gratitude our clients show makes it all worth it. That said, we hope you’ll defer to the experts at your health insurance company for sound advice as to whether lice removal expenses are an approved expense under your HSA or FSA plan. For pro advice about safe, natural treatment for head lice elimination, look to Lice Lifters DFW – call 972-805-1308 or contact me at [email protected].

CAN FURRY FRIENDS SPREAD HEAD LICE?

The Facts About Cross Contamination With Pets

Your children may share everything with the family pet – from their beds to ice cream cones. But head lice and nits are things you don’t need to worry about passing along to Fluffy or Fido. That’s because the variety of lice kids (and adults) carry is quite persnickety and thrives exclusively on human hosts.

When a child comes home with head lice, all human family members do need to be examined to rule out further infestation. Bringing the family to Lice Lifters DFW for professional head checks is a great place to start. But poring over furry friends in search of head lice is completely unnecessary – so heave a sigh of relief and cross that chore off of your to-do list!

Furry Friends Spread Lice

It is interesting to note that there are specific varieties of lice that do live on pets. But there’s no need to worry about contracting lice from animals – just as some lice are partial to humans, these lice are specific to their host. For instance, there are lice that live only on cats, as well as lice that prefer dogs.

Lice infestations on pets are far more rare than human outbreaks, so you are highly unlikely to encounter this affliction. Here at Lice Lifters DFW, we specialize in eliminating lice and nits on humans. Should you suspect that your pet has lice, call your veterinarian promptly for professional advice about how to remedy the problem.

Have you just discovered head lice in your family? Or have you unsuccessfully tried to battle an outbreak without professional help? Regardless of where you are in the process, we want to help you eliminate those persistent pests once and for all with our proven, safe, and natural treatment. In addition to regular business hours, we offer after-hours appointments upon request. Call 972-805-1308 or contact me at [email protected] to schedule your visit to Lice Lifters DFW.

BACK TO SCHOOL…NOT BACK TO LICE!

It’s the start of a new school year! Time for freshly sharpened pencils, a crispness in the air, learning and growing, and creepy crawly infestations. Yes, you read that last bit correctly. Fall is when we see a spike in head lice incidence. Students are ideal prey for head lice – youngsters cluster in close quarters and tend to have fine hair that makes it easier for lice to attach.

It’s also a fact that chemical lice treatments are becoming ineffective. According to a new study, head lice in 25 or more states have developed resistance to over-the-counter remedies – even those widely recommended by physicians and schools. The good news is that there are measures families can take to reduce the likelihood of bringing home these despicable creatures. Take a look at our top 6 simple tips for avoiding nits and lice this school year.

Professional Lice Treatment Dallas/Fort Worth, TX

  1. Style with a purpose. A styling product like The Nit Nanny Mint Detangler Spray gives a one-two punch – it makes combing out hair a breeze as it deters lice. Plus, it’s non-toxic and safe for the whole family. Made with all natural ingredients, it can be used on wet or dry hair as a preventative measure to help repel lice. As a added bonus, its fresh scent is highly offensive to lice but heavenly to humans.
  1. Rock a fresh hairstyle. With boys, this is as simple as keeping hair short. For girls with longer hair, explore the many fashionable possibilities for wearing hair up – from a simple ponytail to elaborate buns and braids, a contained hairstyle is more difficult for lice to penetrate than a loose mane.
  1. Y.O.H. (Bring Your Own Headphones). If your child regularly visits a technology lab at school where public headphones are worn, it’s wise to send along earbuds for personal use.
  1. Avoid Performance Anxiety. We’re talking about shared use of wigs, hats, costumes, and brushes during school plays and other events. If your child is involved in these kinds of activities, encourage implementation of some basic anti-lice policies. A regular head check of kids involved in the production is a start. Using professional grade disinfectants on shared hair implements or having each child use their own styling supplies can help, too.
  1. Safety First…Equipment, That Is. Shared helmets, especially those that see frequent use in P.E. classes, can spread lice in rapid order. If your child is involved in a sport, you can purchase your own, high-quality safety gear if you’re concerned. At the same time, make sure your kids know that a case of head lice pales in comparison to the lifelong consequences of a serious head injury. It should always be top priority to protect your noggin, regardless of lice infection.
  1. Starry Nights. Whether it’s a night at home with the besties, a cheer squad sleepover, or an overnight band trip, individual sleeping bags are a better bet than shared bedding and pillows. Encouraging kids to sleep in a star pattern with feet touching and heads radiating out can also make a difference in preventing spread of lice – tell them it’s so no one has to sleep on the end and feel left out. 
  1. It’s All About Accessorizing. Hats, hair bands, and scarves…the list of possibly contaminated items goes on. Ask your kids to keep their stylish extras to themselves. In addition, hanging a jacket on the back of a chair rather than in a crowded coat rack area is smart thinking.

If preventative measures fail and you find your family in the midst of a head lice outbreak, never fear. At Lice Lifters DFW, we’ll not only help you eliminate head lice, but we’ll do it using a non-toxic and all-natural treatment protocol. After school and evening appointments are available. Questions? Contact us anytime at 972-805-1308 or at [email protected].

CREEPY CRAWLY READS BOOKS TO HELP KIDS DEAL WITH LICE

When kids get lice, treating them is a twofold proposition. Most obviously, you want to get rid of the little buggers ASAP – not only to eliminate your child’s itchiness and discomfort, but also to prevent spreading the infestation. The other aspect of a lice outbreak that parents must address is emotional in nature – the shame and embarrassment a child often feels as a result of having head lice.

Books can be a great way to start a conversation about head lice and take a lighthearted look at the situation. Whether read at home together or given to a teacher whose class has experienced an outbreak, here are a few titles to get you started:

Bugs in My Hair!
By David Shannon

Book of the year, third through fourth grade: "Bugs in My Hair!" by David Shannon
amazon.com

Known for modern children’s classics like No, David!, Caldecott Honor recipient David Shannon offers a fun and informative read about head lice. Kids will take comfort in Shannon’s familiar illustrative style, giggle at his humorous tale, and pick up helpful facts along the way. Good news: As with all of our client stories here at #LiceLiftersDFW, this one has a happy ending.

Head Lice
By Elise Gravel

amazon.com
amazon.com

Part of a series of nonfiction books about disgusting creatures, Elise Gravel’s fact-filled book about head lice features cartoon style illustrations with text bubbles and plenty of silliness to balance the basic facts. Even grownups will get a chuckle from passages such as, “I might be small, but to your parents, I’m scarier than a lion.”

Yikes – Lice!
By Donna Caffey

amazon.com
amazon.com

This book shares one girl’s experience with lice using fun illustrations and a catchy rhyming format. Facts about lice are included on each spread, and text is at a level that even young children can understand.

Reading together about this creepy, crawly subject can help kids see that they aren’t alone when it comes to head lice. After all, the CDC estimates that between 6 and 12 million children between the ages of 3 and 11 contract head lice each year. If you’re struggling with stubborn lice in your household, please contact Lice Lifters DFW today. We can help you eliminate the lice problem once and for all using our non-toxic, natural treatment solution – call us at 972-805-1308 or email me at [email protected].

LICE TREATMENT CENTER IS OPEN!

Natural Treatment for Unwelcome Critters

No one wants to deal with head lice – and I speak from experience. When an infestation made its way through my family, we spent hours upon hours of time across several removal sessions with a mobile nit-picking service. Hundreds of dollars later, the lice were still with us.

As it turns out, a nit comb may not be enough to eliminate these creepy creatures. And because lice have developed resistance to traditional pesticide treatments, they are only 50% effective at best. Who wants to douse their children in toxic chemicals, anyway?

So when the entrepreneurial bug bit (pun intended), a Lice Lifters franchise was the perfect fit. Lice Lifters offers a proven treatment approach that is both all-natural and highly effective treatment, so I’m proud to introduce this guaranteed system to the Dallas-Fort Worth area – we’re centrally located at 7000 Parkwood Blvd., Suite C300, in Frisco.

7000-parkwood-blvd-frisco-tx-c300-High-Res-2

The unique Lice Lifters approach starts with a careful head check. We systematically and thoroughly check the hair and scalp for signs of nits (eggs), nymphs (young lice), and mature lice. Should we find evidence of six-legged squatters, it’s on to the eviction process.

Next, our highly trained “lifticians” use a proprietary, micro-grooved nit comb to remove eggs that can lead to more lice. A combination of technique and superior comb make this the most effective nit removal we’ve found.

Last, we apply The Lice Lifters® all-natural treatment, which kills 99.9% of live head lice in just 10 minutes – all without exposing your precious cargo to harmful pesticides. Just for good measure, you’ll leave with the treatment solution in your hair, covered with a shower cap. Our clients leave with simple instructions for rinse out and follow up at home.

The entire salon treatment time averages from 1 ½ to 2 ½ hours. The Lice Lifters system is 100% guaranteed – head lice and nits will be a thing of the past for your family!

While there’s nothing desirable about a head lice infestation, Lice Lifters DFW aims to make the treatment experience as pleasant as possible. Your family will love our playroom, stocked with kid-friendly movies, games, chalkboard walls, and more. Our private treatment rooms feature personal DVD players to pass the time, and we also offer complimentary snacks and Wi-Fi access.

I honestly hope you’ll never need our services. But should head lice strike, we’re here to help! Just call us at 972-805-1308, email me at [email protected], or visit liceliftersdfw.com.