GREENVILLE (864) 383-0321 ANDERSON (864) 712-7244

The Not So Scary Facts on Head Lice

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It’s that spooky time of year again, Halloween decorations have begun to decorate the stores and houses, and children are busy picking out their costumes. Here at LCA Greenville and Anderson we are preparing for the fall and the frightened parents.

Head Lice has been known to be one of parents’ worst nightmares when it comes to their children. The itchy scalps and stigmas around lice have made parents tremble in fear for years but we are here to put those fears to rest.

Head lice are surrounded by a swarm of scary myths and rumors. Learning the facts and setting the truth straight can put your fears to rest. Here are some lice facts that make head lice a little less scary:

Not So Scary Lice Facts

  1. Head lice cannot jump or fly like most common rumors would have you believe. The most common way they spread is through direct head to head contact with an infected person.
  2. Lice cannot live more than 24 hours without a host to feed off. While it is still best to be cautious, direct contact is still the most common form in which lice are spread.
  3. Head lice are a parasitic insect, but the specific type of head lice humans get can not be passed on to common household pets. There is no need to worry about your family dog or cat.
  4. Adult lice are small, about the size of a sesame seed, and are often brown, tan, or gray colored. The female louse can lay up 10 eggs (or nits) a day.
  5. Lice do not discriminate based on socioeconomic status, ethnicity, or any other human known factor. They simply are looking for host and will take whatever they can attach to. Anyone can get lice!

Removing the Fear

Head Lice doesn’t have to be scary if you know your facts and know how treat an infestation. The faster and easier you can get rid of the lice, the less scary the situation. At Lice Clinics of America, we offer our exclusive AirAlle device. The AirAlle treatment kills lice and nits using heat to dehydrate them, without the use of any chemicals (that can be found in DIY treatments or OTC medications). Our lice services also come with a lice free guarantee to insure you are free of this nightmare and back to the Halloween festivities in no time!

Halloween season is meant to be fun and spooky, but parents shouldn’t be afraid of head lice this time of year. Let Lice Clinics of America help with all your head lice needs so head lice isn’t so scary this year!

If you have any questions or need a head lice removal treatment, don’t hesitate to contact us. At Lice Clinics of America – Upstate South Carolina with clinics in Greenville and Anderson, South Carolina, we are proudly serving Asheville, Hendersonville, Pendleton, and all surrounding areas! Our heated removal process is the only guaranteed way to remove head lice in 1 quick, easy, and safe treatment, so your kids and family members can get back to the things they enjoy. Camps interested in partnering with Lice Clinics of America – Greenville can learn more by visiting https://liceclinicsupstatesc.com, emailing info@liceclinicsupstatesc.com, or calling (864) 383-0321.

new lice clinic in greenville nc

Largest Head Lice Network In The World Opens Anderson Location

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Lice Clinics of America (LCA), the world’s largest network of professional urgent care head lice treatment centers, has opened its newest clinic in Anderson, SC. The opening coincides with peak season for head lice and a national partnership to help school employees.

Both the Anderson and Greenville LCA locations are offering a new, nationwide program titled “Schools Without Lice National Educators Partnership.” The program’s mission is to assist educators and school nurses in being better prepared to help students in schools across America stay lice free. In addition, the program includes free head lice screenings and in clinic treatments for school nurses, teachers and other school employees who come in contact with lice.

“Our Greenville clinic is the top-rated lice clinic in the state,” said local owner, Heather Purtle.  “We are delighted to offer the Anderson– Clemson area the same FDA- cleared, one hour and done treatment… without the drive!”

One in twenty children has lice at all times and that number is growing as traditional over-the-counter lice treatments are increasingly ineffective. A 2016 study published in the Journal of Medical Entomology found that 98 percent of lice in the United States are now resistant to the pesticides these products use. The immune lice are often referred to as “super lice.” Families often battle lice for weeks, failing multiple times as they try to eliminate head lice on their own. Consequently, children miss 24 million school days each year due to lice.

Lice Clinics of America boasts 330 clinics in 36 countries, with new clinics opening each month. The secret to LCA’s success is its revolutionary technology, the AirAllé, an FDA-cleared medical device for treating head lice. The AirAllé uses heated air to dehydrate lice and nits and is proven to kill hatched lice and more than 99 percent of eggs in a single hour-long treatment. The patented AirAllé effectively has performed more than 500,000 head lice treatments. LCA offers effective treatment options for a variety of budgets.

If you have any questions or need a head lice removal treatment, don’t hesitate to contact us. At Lice Clinics of America, with clinics in Greenville and Anderson, South Carolina, we are proudly serving Asheville, Hendersonville, Pendleton, and all surrounding areas! Our heated removal process is the only guaranteed way to remove head lice in 1 quick, easy, and safe treatment, so your kids and family members can get back to the things they enjoy. Both Anderson and Greenville clinics offer free lice treatments to all school employees. Schools interested in partnering with Lice Clinics of America – Anderson and those wishing to book an appointment can learn more by visiting https://liceclinicsupstatesc.com, emailing info@liceclinicsupstatesc.com, or calling (864) 712-7244.

LCA Greenville SC back to school head lice prevention

Back To School Head Lice Prevention

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Back to school can often mean back to head lice as kiddies and teens gather together in tight spaces, and roll around on play grounds, with their friends after the long summer holiday. School facilities can be a breading ground for head lice with all the close contact and the large number of hosts for them to move through, sending your child back to school can be a nightmare on the head lice front! Lice clinics across the U.S. will soon see their busiest days over the next few months as schools resume, but with the right prevention efforts can help you keep your students lice free and start the new school year off without a hitch!

1. Educate Yourself and Your Family

There are a lot head lice myths out there today but it’s important to know what is and isn’t true and what will and won’t treat lice. One of the biggest lice myths is that they can jump or hop head to head but in fact lice can not jump and crawl from surface to surface. Lice can also only survive a short period without a host but it is still important not to share accessories such as hair brushes, hats, or hoodies in case the lice are still alive. See the link on our page for more common lice myths and facts and be sure to educate yourself with your schools lice policy. It is also important to know what works when removing lice.

Be wary of DIY treatments as some can be harmful to your skin and health and always consult a lice expert or doctor for the right treatment. At Lice Clinics of America we use proper lice screenings and our state of the art AirAlle treatment to remove lice using heat and no harmful, harsh chemicals.

2. Check Your Family Frequently

The sooner head lice is found the easier it is to treat, whether you preform self checks or come into a clinic for a professional check. Occasional checks of your family are good way to ensure everything is healthy, but during an outbreak in your area it is recommended to check weekly or even daily depending the outbreaks severity and your family’s proximity to the infestation.

Some common signs of head lice include an itchy scalp, redness or rash on the neckline, shoulder, and/or ears, tan or white specks that may resemble dandruff, and the bugs themselves. It is easiest to check hair while it is damp, just after washing, using a comb and bright light. If you are uncertain our technicians are specially trained experts and here to help, they are happy to do a lice screening for you and ensure the best quality care for your family.

3. Keep Hair Up & Out of the Way

Perhaps the best way to avoid lice besides not sharing items is to simply keep hair from coming in contact with the lice. One of the best ways to do this is to keep hair pulled up in a tight and back hairstyle. Styles such as braids and buns offer the best options for those with long hair, pony tails can also be effective but still allow hair to be loose at the ends. For those with short hair covering it with one of your own clean hats is a perfect way to keep your hair out of harms way. When hats can not be worn just be sure to remind children of the importance of boundaries and keeping their head up.

Back to school is an exciting time for the whole family and Lice Clinics of America would like to help keep it that way! If you have any questions or need a head lice removal treatment, don’t hesitate to contact us. At Lice Clinics of America – Upstate South Carolina with clinics in Greenville and Anderson, South Carolina, we are proudly serving Asheville, Hendersonville, Pendleton, and all surrounding areas! Our heated removal process is the only guaranteed way to remove head lice in 1 quick, easy, and safe treatment, so your kids and family members can get back to the things they enjoy. Camps interested in partnering with Lice Clinics of America – Greenville can learn more by visiting https://liceclinicsupstatesc.com, emailing info@liceclinicsupstatesc.com, or calling (864) 383-0321.

Does Chlorine Kill Lice?

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Does Chlorine Kill Lice?

With another school year over, parents and children are excited to join in the summer fun! Parents, however, often begin to wonder more about how their child’s many summer activities can affect their risk for head lice. In fact, with the arrival of summer, we often come across many parents who begin to wonder if swimming can lessen or increase their child’s risk for head lice, specifically, “can chlorine kill lice?” or “can you get lice from a pool?” In today’s article, we will answer these questions and more so that you can allow your child to splash with peace of mind.

Does Chlorinated Pool Water Kill Lice?

Many parents hope that their child’s quick dip in the pool will not only remedy summer boredom, but also rid them of lice. In fact, one of the most common “home remedy attempts” we encounter during the summer months is the attempted use of pool water to kill lice. Unfortunately, research has shown that chlorinated water will not kill lice. In a 2007 study, lice were found to become temporarily immobilized after submersion in chlorinated water for 20 minutes, however the lice recovered after being taken out of the water. This means that while the dip in the pool may feel refreshing—it doesn’t actually kill lice.

Can You Get Lice from a Pool?

The second most common misconception about lice and swimming pools comes from concerned parents wondering if lice can spread from child to child in a pool. Lice do not swim in water, and so they cannot swim from one person’s head to another. They can, however, still crawl. This means that accessories such as hats, goggles, swim caps, brushes, or towels for drying wet hair should not be shared. For this reason, if your child has lice, it may be best to avoid group trips to the pool with other children until they have had a full course of treatment. If, however, they are not swimming with other children or are in a private pool, there is no risk of lice lingering in the pool water and later attaching themselves to someone else.

Fast and Chemical-Free Lice Removal 

At Lice Clinics of America, our professional technicians take a safe, effective, and affordable approach to lice treatment that won’t interfere with your child’s summer fun! We stop lice in their tracks using our AirAllé® heat machine, a completely safe FDA-cleared medical device. AirAllé® kills lice and lice eggs through dehydration, and a single one-hour treatment kills head lice and 99.2% of lice eggs. Because the AirAllé® device is so effective at killing lice eggs (which are difficult for traditional lice products to kill), the likelihood of your child needing a follow-up treatment is less than 1%. And best of all, AirAllé® does not interfere with your child’s ability to swim or enjoy other summer activities after treatment! To learn more about our list of services and featured products, contact us at our Greenville or Anderson, SC locations today at (864) 383-0321 !

What Are Super Lice?

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If you’ve dealt with lice lately or are dealing with a head lice problem then I’m sure you’ve heard the term super lice. There seems to be a lot of confusion around these tiny creatures though and exactly what makes them super. Are they bigger than regular lice? Are super lice a totally different type of lice than normal lice? What exactly sets them apart from their normal lice counterparts seems to be a question on every concerned individuals mind, but no worries Lice Clinics of America is here to break things down and help you tackle super lice.

So what just does make super lice so super? Over the years as head lice was treated with over the counter prescriptions and pesticides certain lice offspring began building a resistance to common lice pesticides and are no longer affected by them, much like antibiotic resistant bacteria. The overexposure over time of pesticidal head lice treatments led to a strain of lice that could resist the effects of the treatments. Super lice are the exact same size as regular lice and are indistinguishable from their counterparts other than the fact they will be the ones left alive after a chemical treatment.

Super lice carry the same symptoms and spread the same way as normal head lice. To prevent an infestation you should be sure to avoid the following: head to head contact, sharing clothing or hats, sharing hairbrushes or pillows, and furniture an infected person has rested their head on. Symptoms can include a tickling or moving sensation on your head and neck, itching your head, neck, or ears, red bumps on your head, neck or shoulders, and seeing the actual lice on your head or clothing.

Despite the chemical resistance of super lice there are still plenty safe and effective ways to treat them and be lice free again. There are still a few chemical treatments that most super lice are not immune to that can be used upon proper research and doctors prescription. You can also have your hair nit picked and lice combed. Lice Clinics of America’s preferred option is our Airalle device, a FDA-approved treatment that removes lice by heating your hair and dehydrating them for a chemical free lice removal. This offers you a fast, chemical free option to rid both normal and super lice. We also back with a guarantee to ensure your satisfaction and return to a lice free life! Super lice can be tough to get rid of but we’ve found a safe and effective way to beat them and have you back to your daily routine.

If you have any questions or need a head lice removal treatment, don’t hesitate to contact us. At Lice Clinics of America – Upstate South Carolina with clinics in Greenville and Anderson, South Carolina, we are proudly serving Asheville, Hendersonville, Pendleton, and all surrounding areas! Our heated removal process is the only guaranteed way to remove head lice in 1 quick, easy, and safe treatment, so your kids and family members can get back to the things they enjoy. Camps interested in partnering with Lice Clinics of America – Greenville can learn more by visiting https://liceclinicsupstatesc.com, emailing info@liceclinicsupstatesc.com, or calling (864) 383-0321.

Summer Camp Program

Lice Clinics of America® – Greenville Offers Summer Camp Lice Prevention Program

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One thing that parents dread about summer camp is the occurrence of head lice, which can result in kids being sent home, causing embarrassment and inconvenience to parents and campers alike.

 

Lice Clinics of America – Greenville is offering an innovative program for summer camps in the Greenville area in partnership with the American Camp Association to provide head lice education, pre-camp screenings, on-site screenings, and on-site and off-site treatment options that are guaranteed to be effective.

 

“The American Camp Association has said that every year a majority of calls to its Camp Crisis Hotline are from camps that have concerns about lice,” said Heather Purtle, owner of Lice Clinics of America – Greenville. “Either they have detected head lice on a camper’s or staffer’s head, or they want help preparing for an infestation should one happen.”

 

“No one wants head lice to ruin a camp experience,” Purtle said. “We’re excited to provide this service and to make camp less stressful for parents, children, and camp leaders.”

 

Lice Clinics of America – Greenville is the area’s exclusive provider of lice treatment using the revolutionary AirAllé® medical device. It’s an FDA-cleared, Class I medical device clinically proven to kill live lice and more than 99 percent of eggs (nits) using microprocessor-controlled heated air to dehydrate the bugs and eggs. Most treatments take about an hour and are guaranteed to be effective.

 

“Camps are thrilled to know that any camper with head lice can be lice-free in an hour, guaranteed, and everyone can get back to having fun,” Purtle said.

 

Head lice have become more difficult to treat in recent years as most head lice are now resistant to the pesticides that the most popular lice products use. A 2016 study published in the Journal of Medical Entomology found that 98 percent of head lice in the United States and other countries are now immune to pyrethroids, the pesticides used in most lice products. Additionally, pyrethroids have been linked to behavioral and developmental problems in children.

 

“Our treatments are fast, safe, and guaranteed to be effective, even against resistant lice,” Purtle said. “We never use pesticides or harmful chemicals.”

 

The Greenville clinic’s summer camp program offers multiple options:

 

  • Pre-screening: Parents can contact the clinic for an appointment to be screened 24-48 hours before the first day of camp. An “all-clear” screening allows the children to skip an on-site screening at camp.
  • On-site screening: Campers can be screened at the camp location by a certified Lice Clinics of America technician. Positive screenings will be treated with the AirAllé medical device.
  • Do-it-yourself: The Greenville clinic also has several non-toxic treatment options for camps to have on-hand for lice outbreaks, including easy-to-use gels and applicators that facilitate the treatment process. Preventive shampoos, conditioners, and sprays are also available.

 

With 330 clinics in 35 countries, Lice Clinics of America is the world’s largest network of professional lice treatment centers. The AirAllé medical device has treated more than 500,000 cases of head lice around the world with a success rate better than 99 percent.

 

Camps interested in partnering with Lice Clinics of America – Greenville can learn more by visiting https://liceclinicsupstatesc.com, emailing info@liceclinicsupstatesc.com, or calling (864) 383-0321.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Lice Clinics of America – Greenville Supports Moms for Mother’s Day

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“We want moms to know we’re here for them on Mother’s Day and all year,” said Heather Purtle, owner of Lice Clinics of America – Greenville. “We know how much stress and pressure moms face under normal circumstances, and when head lice enter the picture, it can feel like fuel to the ‘fire.’”

 

Indeed, many Lice Clinics of America treatment centers were launched by moms after dealing with head lice in their own families. It’s no wonder the clinics are champions of moms everywhere. “Experiencing head lice can be an exercise in futility for moms because there’s so much misinformation and confusion about how to treat infestations, what works, and what doesn’t work,” Purtle said. “Most of us have experienced it in our own lives and we see it every day in our clinic.”

 

“We want to educate and support moms with the facts about head lice,” Purtle said. “The two most important facts moms need to know is that head lice have nothing to do with hygiene, and that most head lice are now immune to the pesticides used in the most popular lice products.”

 

“The stigma that head lice are caused by dirty homes or hair keeps people from seeking treatment which then results in worsening and persistent infestations,” Purtle said. “And when moms try to treat head lice on their own, they often fail with products that no longer work and grow even more stressed and frustrated.”

 

Purtle first and foremost message to moms whose children have head lice is this: You didn’t do anything wrong. “Most moms are embarrassed that their children have head lice, and that feeling can prevent them from seeking treatment, which just makes things worse,” Purtle said. “We tell them the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) said that ‘personal hygiene or cleanliness in the home or school has nothing to do with getting head lice.’”

 

The second fact about lice treatment is that most popular head lice products rely on pesticides, but most lice are now immune to those pesticides. A study published in the Journal of Medical Entomology in 2016 found that 98 percent of head lice in the United States and other countries have developed a genetic resistance to pyrethroids, the class of pesticides used by popular lice products. Pyrethroids have also been linked to developmental and behavioral problems in children.

 

The Greenville clinic is the area’s exclusive provider of lice treatment using the revolutionary AirAllé® medical device. It’s an FDA-cleared, Class I medical device clinically proven to kill live lice and more than 99 percent of eggs (nits) using microprocessor-controlled heated air to dehydrate the bugs and eggs. Most treatments take about an hour and are guaranteed to be effective.

 

“Our most important message to moms is that a pesticide-free cure is just an hour away,” Purtle said. “The joy and relief moms express when they leave our clinic lice-free makes every day feel like Mother’s Day.”

The Greenville clinic also offers pesticide-free, guaranteed home lice treatment and prevention products.

With 330 clinics in 35 countries, Lice Clinics of America is the world’s largest network of professional lice treatment centers. The AirAllé medical device has treated more than 500,000 cases of head lice around the world with a success rate better than 99 percent.

 

To learn more or to schedule an appointment, visit https://liceclinicsupstatesc.com, email info@liceclinicsupstatesc.com, or call (864) 383-0321.

Lice Clinics of America® – Greenville Honors Teachers and School Nurses in May with Free Screenings

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During National Nurse Appreciation week (May 6-10) and National Teacher Appreciation Day (May 7), Lice Clinics of America® – Greenville is calling attention to the important role school nurses and teachers play in the community’s health by offering postcards that serve as certificates for free screenings for head lice and educational information to distribute to parents.

 

“We partner with school nurses and teachers throughout the Greenville area all year round,” said Purtle, owner of Lice Clinics of America, Greenville. “They are often the ‘messengers’ that alert parents and children to the presence of head lice, which can be stressful and uncomfortable, and we want to help make that message less scary.”

 

Professional screenings are one of the best ways to prevent the spread of head lice. Misdiagnosis of head lice is common, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and screening can give parents much-needed relief if no lice are present. If head lice are found, early detection can make treatment faster and easier.

 

“Screenings usually cost $25,” Purtle said, “but we are giving teachers and nurses certificates for free screenings this week.” The certificates include a description of the symptoms of head lice­­.

 

“We also want to help teachers and school nurses by educating the community about head lice,” Purtle said. “The stigma that head lice are the result of poor hygiene makes parents think that they have done something wrong when a child has head lice and often keeps them from seeking treatment, which just makes things worse.”

 

“The CDC says, ‘Personal hygiene or cleanliness in the home or school has nothing to do with getting head lice,’” Purtle said.

 

The good news for parents is that if lice are found at the Greenville clinic or at home, a cure is just an hour away. The clinic is the area’s exclusive provider of lice treatment using the revolutionary AirAllé® medical device. It’s an FDA-cleared, Class I medical device clinically proven to kill live lice and more than 99 percent of eggs (nits) using microprocessor-controlled heated air to dehydrate the bugs and eggs. Most treatments take about an hour and are guaranteed to be effective.

Head lice have become more difficult to treat in recent years as lice have developed a resistance to the pesticides used by the most popular over-the-counter lice products. A 2016 study published in the Journal of Medical Entomology found that 98 percent of head lice in most states are now immune to the pesticides—called pyrethroids—that the products use. Pyrethroids have also been linked to behavioral and developmental problems in children.

“Most of the people that come to our clinic have already tried and failed to get rid of lice with pesticide-based products,” Purtle said. “Many have been struggling with head lice for months, and they’re so relieved to know we have a fast, safe, guaranteed solution.”

The Greenville clinic also offers pesticide-free, guaranteed home lice-treatment and prevention products.

With 330 clinics in 35 countries, Lice Clinics of America is the world’s largest network of professional lice treatment centers. The AirAllé medical device has treated more than 500,000 cases of head lice around the world with a success rate better than 99 percent.

 

To learn more or to schedule an appointment, visit https://liceclinicsupstatesc.com, email info@liceclinicsupstatesc.com, or call (864) 383-0321.

 

Earth Day Alert from Lice Clinics of America® – Greenville

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Every year on Earth Day the world focuses on environmental protection. Lice Clinics of America – Greenville reminds the Greenville community that all of its products and services are 100 percent pesticide-free. The clinic’s signature treatment using the FDA-cleared AirAllé® medical device is clinically proven to kill live lice and more than 99 percent of eggs (nits) using nothing more than heated air to dehydrate the bugs and eggs. Treatments take about an hour and are guaranteed to be effective.

 

“Many people don’t realize that traditional lice products rely on pesticides to kill head lice,” said Heather Purtle, owner of Lice Clinics of America – Greenville. “This means that parents are shampooing their children’s hair with toxic chemicals.”

 

Pyrethroids, the class of pesticides used in popular over-the-counter head lice products, are neurotoxins that kill lice by paralyzing the bugs’ central nervous system. Pyrethroids are also common in home and garden pesticide products such as bug sprays and fogs. A study by Cincinnati Children’s Hospital found an association between pyrethroid exposure and ADHD, particularly in terms of hyperactivity and impulsivity. A separate study presented at the 2017 Endocrine Society national meeting linked pyrethroids to early puberty in boys.

 

“The most frustrating part of this is that the products are no longer effective,” Purtle said. “They have been overused for so long that head lice are now resistant to them.”

 

Purtle is referring to the advent of so-called “super lice” that have developed a genetic resistance to pyrethroids. Research published in the Journal of Medical Entomology found that 98 percent of head lice in the United States and many other countries are now immune to pyrethroids. The AirAllé treatment is effective against super lice because it doesn’t rely on pesticides at all.

 

“Time after time, we see parents after they have tried these products several times,” Purtle said. “We want the community to know that there is no reason to use harmful and less pesticides on their children when there are faster, safer, more effective alternatives available.”

 

Scientists have also found high levels of pyrethroids in U.S. watersheds. The U.S. Geological Survey said that it has “detected pyrethroid insecticides in stream waters in urban and agricultural areas,” a report said. “Highly toxic to fish and invertebrates, the occurrence of pyrethroids in aquatic environments has become an ecological health concern.”

 

“Our message is this: Do yourself and the planet a favor and don’t use pesticides to treat head lice,” Purtle said. “Come to our clinic and you will be lice-free in an hour with no risk to your health or to the environment.”

 

Lice Clinics of America – Greenville also offers a complete line of non-toxic home lice treatment products, including preventive sprays, shampoos, and conditioners that can keep children from getting head lice in the first place. The products are pesticide-free and also guaranteed to be effective when used as directed.

 

With 330 clinics in 35 countries, Lice Clinics of America is the world’s largest network of professional lice treatment centers. AirAllé has treated more than 500,000 cases of head lice around the world with a success rate better than 99 percent.

 

To learn more or to schedule an appointment, visit https://liceclinicsupstatesc.com, email info@liceclinicsupstatesc.com, or call (864) 383-0321.

Siblings-and-Head-Lice-Greenville

Siblings and Head Lice: Tips from Lice Clinics of America – Greenville

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April 10 is National Siblings Day, and Heather Purtle, owner of Lice Clinics of America – Greenville is using the day to call attention to the fact that siblings are often the channel used by head lice to spread.

“The closer in age siblings are, the more likely it is for them to spread lice to one another,” Purtle said. “That’s because they are likely to spend more time together and share rooms, hair accessories, and clothing that might carry hair with lice.”

According to a study of Norwegian school children, an infested sibling increases the odds of a child contracting head lice by 36 percent. In some school districts, if a student is found to have head lice, any siblings at the school are also checked.

Lice spread primarily through head-to-head contact. When siblings share a bed or bedroom, and one has head lice, others are likely to get lice, too. Lice don’t fly or jump, but if a louse is on a shaft of hair that falls on a jacket or hat or hair brush, it will crawl onto the next head it can find in a matter of seconds.

“Lice can’t live anywhere but on a human head,” Purtle said. “It is a matter of survival to get on the nearest head.”

For parents that do find head lice on one or more of their children, the Greenville clinic has a safe, fast, and guaranteed cure with the AirAllé® medical device. AirAllé is FDA-cleared and clinically proven to kill live lice and more than 99 percent of eggs (nits) using heated air to dehydrate the bugs and eggs. Treatments take about an hour and are guaranteed to be effective.

The guarantee has one stipulation that speaks to the common occurrence of head lice among children.

“We guarantee the AirAllé treatment only when all members of the household are checked for head lice,” Purtle said. “We can’t guarantee you will remain lice-free if we send you back to a home with an active infestation, and the only way we can know if the household is clear is if all the residents are checked for lice.” The screenings are free for family members of someone receiving treatment at the clinic.

Head lice have become more difficult to treat in recent years as so-called “super lice” have become the norm. These lice have developed a resistance to the chemical pesticides used in the most popular lice products. Research published in the Journal of Medical Entomology in 2016 found that 98 percent of lice in the United States are now immune to the pesticides that the products use.

“AirAllé kills super lice just like any other lice because it doesn’t rely on pesticides or any chemicals at all,” Purtle said. “We also carry a complete line of nontoxic lice prevention products to keep head lice out of your hair for good.”

With 330 clinics in 35 countries, Lice Clinics of America is the world’s largest network of professional lice treatment centers. AirAllé has treated more than 500,000 cases of head lice around the world, with a success rate better than 99 percent.

To learn more or to schedule an appointment, visit https://liceclinicsupstatesc.com, email info@liceclinicsupstatesc.com, or call (864) 383-0321.