Helpful Information for Doctors and Nurses

Finding head lice on a client can be stressful for both the parents and children. Here are some tips to share with your patients and their families

When Lice is Discovered:

Not only parents, but staff do not need to bug out!
Some staff may want to torch the exam room after finding lice, but a simple wipe down of the table will do. Nothing needs additional sterilization or to be thrown out. And for those that feel the need, simply taking a lint roller to the clothing is fine.

Hand the parents an informational card
For many families this may be the first time they deal with having lice and have no idea what to do next. You can send us an email at info@letslearnaboutlice.com and we will gladly send your office information cards for your parents at no charge. This will go over everything they need to not bug out. You can also get a printable version below.

Recommend manual nit removal
Recommending manual head lice removal with a good head lice comb helps reduce the exposure to pesticides. The products people use to treat head lice are often more dangerous than having head lice. Over the counter products with chemicals and prescription treatments could always be used as a last ditch effort.

Refer them to a professional
Professional lice removal specialists have so many benefits besides the service of removal. They can thoroughly check all household members to make sure parents are treating only those affected by lice. Also, in some cases head lice has been misdiagnosed and no treatment is needed at all. Professionals also sell the best lice combs. This is extremely important because having the right comb can save hours of combing especially on long, thick hair. In addition, most lice professionals sell only products free from chemicals that are safe, non-toxic and effective. Most importantly, they have the right information to save parents a lot of time and energy spent on getting rid of lice. Many parents feel much less stressed after speaking with or visiting a professional.

Common Myths:

Mayonnaise​​, Olive Oil, Vaseline/Petroleum Jelly
These products are used in hopes of suffocating head lice. Head lice are able to shut down their bodies for long periods of time even fully submerged in substances meant to kill them. These products may suffocate the bugs if used for hours on end, but they do not kill the eggs.

Cetaphil also known as the Nuvo method
This dry on suffocation method was created by a dermatologist who has unfortunately admitted that this method was nothing more than a get rich scheme. Originally dubbed as the Nuvo method and charged $284 for the lotion, it was actually the Cetaphil face cleanser. Check out our "studies" section for the articles documenting this deception.

Apple vinegar, white vinegar, Coca Cola
It is assumed that these products help dissolve the glue that holds the eggs to the hair shalft. This glue make up is similar to human hair. Substances found to dissolve the glue also dissolve the hair. These products are not only ineffective, they leave the hair feeling like straw.

Spraying the house down and bagging everything for weeks
False! Lice sprays are money wasting gimmicks as head lice do not live in the environment. Because head lice is mistakenly grouped in with body lice in their stigma of hygiene and often times research: many believe that because body lice lay eggs in clothing and survive for days away from a human host that bagging items will help kill head lice and their eggs. A louse found off the head is usually injured or dying.

You know when you contact head lice right away
False! Head lice symptoms can take 24 hours to 4 weeks to show up. Some people are asymptomatic meaning they never develop symptoms. Most case of head lice are not discovered until 3-5 weeks later.

Eggs more than a quarter inch off the scalp are dead
False! Because there is no way to know when an egg was laid without looking under a microscope you do not know when eggs will or will not hatch. To remove to risk of eggs hatching and starting the life cycle over again, all eggs must be removed.

Quick Lice Facts to Share:

Lice cannot hop, jump or fly and in most cases only transfer from direct head to head contact.

Animal lice and head lice are different. We cannot give lice to our pets and they cannot give it to us.

Lice die off the head within 24 hours.

Not everyone itches, but for those who do, itching can last up to two weeks

Eggs are not contagious

All eggs must be removed

Quick Links to Helpful Studies and Information:

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