HEAD LICE FACTS

Head lice has been around for millions of years. Did you know that dried up lice and their eggs have been found on the hair and scalps of Egyptian mummies!? Lice has evolved through the years and has been a menace to humans since ancient history.

Head lice can be spread whenever there is direct head-to-head contact with an infested individual. Lice may also be transmitted by items such as hats, hair ties, scarves, pillows, etc.

Lice cannot typically survive off of a human host longer than 24 hours and they are uniquely adapted for living in human head hair. They generally do not like to leave the protected environment created within head hair, but it is possible.

Head lice are most commonly found on the scalp, behind the ears and near the neckline at the base of the head. Symptoms include a tickling sensation or feeling something moving through the hair. An allergic reaction to the bites causes itching. Viable eggs are usually located within 1/4 inch (6mm) of the scalp.

The adult louse is no bigger than a sesame seed and is grayish-white or tan. The color of lice vary based on your hair color. Nymphs (baby lice) are smaller, and can be black, clear, or even blood red. Lice eggs, often called nits, look like tiny yellow, tan, or brown dots before they hatch. After hatching, the remaining shell looks white or clear. Nits are literally glued to the hair shaft and are very difficult to remove.

The cold air process using Zyma Air Therapy, is a safe and comfortable treatment that is highly effective at not only killing the live lice but also their eggs. Increasing numbers of consumers are finding that the most popular treatments for head lice – including chemical shampoos and home remedies – are largely ineffective. Head lice are rapidly evolving chemical resistance to many of the traditional pesticide-based control methods (which have never been able to kill eggs (nits) effectively and usually require repeated treatments).

Louse combs can be effective for removing lice and eggs, but the comb-out process can be very tedious, and many busy parents do not have the time or patience for effective combing. In desperation, some parents resort to home remedies such as bug spray, mayonnaise or kerosene, but there is little hard evidence that these remedies are effective, and some home remedies can actually be harmful. As a result, parents and school workers are searching for a safe, fast and effective treatment that will remove lice and allow children to get back to their normal lives as quickly as possible.

Eggs are laid by adult female lice and usually take about a week to hatch into nymphs. Nymphs: Nymphs are immature lice that mature into adults about a week after hatching from the egg. Adults: Adult lice can live about 30 days on a person’s head. If they come off the host, they usually die within 24 hours. Female adult lice lay 4 to 8 eggs per day and can lay 100 or more eggs during their lifetime. The eggs are glued to hair shafts and hatch in 4-10 days. It takes another 9-12 days for the female louse to mature. She mates 24 hours later and starts laying eggs.

There is not a difference although a nit is usually referred to as the empty shell and the egg as a viable egg. Sometimes people refer to one or the other in relation to its viability.

Although a microscope would be able to show you whether an egg is empty or not, there is no way to tell whether a non-empty shell is viable or not.

Avoid head to head contact during play, sleepovers, or other activities at home, school, and elsewhere. Do not share combs, brushes or towels used by an infested person. Do not share clothing such as hats, scarves, coats, hair ribbons or barrettes. Machine wash and dry clothing, bed linens, and other items that an infested person used or wore during the previous 2 days using a hot water laundry cycle and high heat drying cycle. Do not use fumigant sprays or fogs; they are not necessary to control head lice and can be toxic if inhaled or absorbed through the skin.

It is very common for close family or friends of infested individuals to also have lice. It is suggested that you check everyone in the household. If a nit or lice is found, that person should be treated.

Head Lice Check-list

1. All combs/brushes, hair pretties, headbands, barrettes should be bagged tightly and placed in the freezer for 12 hours or put in a mesh bag and placed in the dishwasher on the sanitize cycle or set aside (in the tightly closed bag) for a week.
2. All glasses, goggles, earrings, hearing aids, phones and head phones should be wiped down gently with soap and water.
3. All hats, jackets, sweaters, sporting gear should be washed (only if dirty). It is not the washing that kills the lice it is the high heat produced in the dryer. Place all things in the dryer on high heat for 40 min. If the fabric won’t tolerate the high heat then place in the freezer for 12 hours or bag for 5 days.
4. Cleaning bedrooms: strip all the sheets and mattress pads off and place in the dryer on high heat for 40 min. Vacuum the mattress and all areas surrounding the mattress. You will need to repeat this step daily for 5 days. Pillows can be placed in the dryer for the 40 min or placed in the freezer for 12 hours or bagged for 5 days.
5. Car seats: Vacuum the car seats/headrests thoroughly. If you have leather seats wipe them off with a damp rag. If your child sits in a car seat/booster vacuum the cover.
6. All dolls, blankets, stuffed animals and dress up clothes should be put in the dryer on high heat for 40 min or placed in the freezer for 12 hours or bagged for 5 days.
7. Vacuum all carpets, rug and clothes furniture daily for 5 days.

Tips and Tricks

1. If it is not dirty, don’t wash it! It is not the water that will kill the lice it is the high heat in the dryer. When using the dryer use the highest heat setting for 40 minutes.
2. After you have vacuumed and/or wiped down the couch, chairs in your living area, place a flat sheet over them. At the end of each day you can remove the sheet and put in the dryer for 40 min.
3. If your child plays in their closet or drawers and you feel that all the clothes could be contaminated you can take out outfits for the next 5 days put them through the dryer on high heat for 40 min and tape off the closet and/or drawers for 5 days. ( Lice die after 48 hours without a host)
4. If there are areas in your home that are rarely used, stay out of them for 5 days then you don’t have to clean that area. (Example: closets, bedrooms, or basements)
5. If you have little girls try to keep their hair back in pony tails, braids or buns.
6. Inform the parents of the children that your child plays with frequently. Also inform your children’s teacher so that they can make arrangements to get your child a single locker while going through the treatment process.
7. Encourage your child not to share sporting gear, hats, coats, combs, wigs.
8. The reason we want you to clean for 5 days is to make sure there is no cross contamination from area in your house to the next.

If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact

Head Lice Check-list and Tips &Tricks