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What Are Super Lice? And Are They Real?

What Are Super Lice? And Are They Real?

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Head lice are a common problem here in the United States, especially among children and young adults. With an estimated 6-12 million cases of head lice among children ages 3-11 each year, it wouldn’t come as a surprise if you or someone you know has encountered them before. If you have ever had head lice, you know how uncomfortable the experience can be, but not all cases of head lice are created equal. Recently there has been an upswing in treatment-resistant head lice, leaving both the treatment providers and head lice patients scratching their heads. These ‘super lice’ are usually caused by prolonged treatment, but there are still ways to battle these superbugs. Here is everything you need to know about super lice and how to avoid them.

What are Super Lice?

Super lice are head lice that have been genetically mutated to become resistant to the active ingredients in most traditional head lice treatment products. The longer it takes for an infestation to be dealt with, the more chances head lice get to adapt to the treatment product you are using. Super lice are real and growing in number as humans continue to use chemical treatments. The only way to tell if a louse is super is by testing its ability to endure treatment. The symptoms of super lice are the same as any normal case of lice. Symptoms include itchy scalps and lice bites. If you notice that they are not reacting to treatment, it may be best to seek professional help. If you do have a case of super lice on your hands, continuing to use the same products on them only makes future lice more resistant to that treatment.

How Can Super Lice Be Prevented?

Preventing super lice, the biggest head lice, is all about the treatment method. While it may be difficult to prevent these insects from getting into your hair, the best way to prevent lice from becoming super lice is by seeking a non-chemical treatment as soon as possible. If these bugs are never exposed to the pesticides used in lice shampoos, then they will never have a chance to form a resistance to these chemicals. Instead of seeking prescriptions and over-the-counter remedies, go to a professional to have the lice removed without the use of chemicals. Not only does this prevent super lice, but you can avoid all of the dangerous pesticides and toxins found in over-the-counter treatments.

Chemical Free Treatment In Greenville, SC You Can Rely On

Head Lice are a pain and a hassle. If you or someone you know is dealing with a case of lice, visit Lice Clinics of America located in Greenville, SC, and Anderson, SC. Here at LCA, we offer a same-day chemical-free treatment guaranteed to get the lice out in just one visit. The AirAlle is a special device that blows warm air, forcing the head lice to lose their grip on the hair shaft so that they can be combed out easily. This chemical-free treatment takes less than 2 hours and can have you ready to go in one appointment. If you want to learn more about LCA and our services, schedule an appointment or give us a call today!

A Guide to Take Care of Your Scalp After Lice Treatment

A Guide to Take Care of Your Scalp After Lice Treatment

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Even though it might get you out of school or work for a few days, there is nothing fun about getting a case of head lice. Thankfully, a handful of effective treatments can get these pesky parasites out. An understandable concern could be what do you do if you get a treatment and your head still itches? Don’t panic! It is very common to experience these symptoms after a lice treatment. Depending on the method of treatment used to remove the lice, the scalp could be left dry or irritated, there may be louse bites that are still healing, or the itching can even be psychosomatic. Very rarely is an incomplete treatment the culprit for post-treatment irritation. If you have just undergone head lice treatment, here are a few tips to help you care for your scalp post-treatment.

Dry Scalp Can Be the Root of Your Problem

When it comes to an itchy or irritated scalp after a lice treatment, a dry scalp is almost always the root of the problem. Many over-the-counter lice protection or treatment products have a wide variety of potential skin irritants. From salt to chemicals, these products are known for leaving your hair and your head feeling dry. Many lice shampoos contain toxins that can cause serious health issues if misused or accidentally ingested. For a safe treatment that you can be sure will work, air treatment or the comb-out method are both much safer and more reliable. To help with an irritated scalp, moisturizing and dandruff shampoos are great for returning moisture to the scalp. Natural oils and deep conditioning treatments after your office visit are great options as well.

Psychosomatic Itching

If you have ever watched a video about insects and immediately felt like you could hear a bug flying around you or perhaps imagined a bug bite, then you know exactly what psychosomatic itching is. These types of symptoms are usually triggered by some form of anxiety or stress-induced condition. When you are anxious, your brain can play tricks on you. One of the best ways to deal with psychosomatic itching is by performing a quick lice check and focusing on self-awareness. If you can realize that you didn’t start itching until you started thinking about lice, then you can start to prevent these kinds of intrusive thoughts. If that doesn’t help, just checking again to make sure that all of the lice are gone can give you the peace of mind you need to stop the irritation.

Healing Louse Bites

Just like a mosquito bite, a louse bite can leave the skin feeling super itchy. In this case, it is best to treat it just like you would a mosquito bite; by leaving it alone. Though this is definitely easier said than done, it is the best way to get the itching to stop. Low-dose antihistamines and ice can help reduce the itching so you can give the bites time to heal.

Lice Treatment in Anderson, SC. Find Relief Today!

Whether you are dealing with an irritated scalp or are looking to get rid of head lice, our lice professionals have an answer for you. Our lice removal clinics in Anderson and Greenville, SC, have a variety of treatment options, such as our Airalle treatment which uses heated air to kill the lice. If you would like to learn more or schedule an appointment, give us a call at 864-548-4265. 

Where Do Lice Come From?

Where Do Lice Come From?

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Lice are parasites that have been around for a very long time. These critters cling onto human hairs and feed on the blood of their hosts. Though head lice cannot fly and don’t live anywhere outside of hair, they still manage to spread from head-to-head with ease, which begs the question; where do lice come from?

Lice and Human Evolution

Lice have been plaguing humans for thousands of years. The genetic separation between head lice and body lice occurred around 100 thousand years ago, about the time that humans are thought to have started wearing clothes. While head lice remained on the head, other lice developed claws that could latch on to the smoother fibers of clothing rather than the thin strands of hair. Though there are a handful of lice variations, the ones that we are most familiar with originated in North America and migrated to eventually inhabit Australia and Europe as well.

How Do They Spread?

In order for head lice to spread from person to person, direct head-to-head contact has to be made with someone that has head lice. One of the most popular misconceptions surrounding head lice is that they can live away from the host for long enough to crawl into someone else’s hair. As it turns out, it would be nearly impossible to contract a case of head lice by borrowing a hat or hairbrush. Head lice are most successful in places like elementary schools and summer camps because they are full of kids that are interacting within head-to-head proximity almost all year round.

How To Protect Yourself From Lice

One of the simplest and most effective ways that you can prevent head lice is by keeping your hair up and out of the way of others. If you have children that are in grade school, it is important to teach them the basic signs of head lice and prevention techniques. Putting your hair up in a bun, braid or ponytail can go a long way when it comes to reducing the risk of lice. Having loose hair only increases the odds of accidentally coming into direct contact with others.

Lice Treatment in Greenville, SC

If you or one of your family members have come into contact with lice, seeking a lice doctor is the best course of action. Here at LCA Upstate South Carolina, we are dedicated to the treatment and removal of head lice. If you have any questions concerning head lice, or you would like to find out more about the head lice treatment options we offer at our Greenville and Anderson locations, don’t hesitate to call! 

Does the Weather’s Temperature Affect Lice?

Does the Weather’s Temperature Affect Lice?

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For all the parents out there who are dealing with their child getting lice for the first time, it can be very scary and unsettling. You’re not sure what to do or how to handle the situation. You may find yourself trying to come up with reasons as to how this could have happened and it has turned your life into complete havoc. As the hot summer days are approaching, you may be wondering if the weather’s temperature has any affect on lice.

What Causes Head Lice?

Head lice are caused by only direct head-to-head contact. This means that you can only get lice from someone else who has lice if your head was in close contact with their head. For things like what causes head lice, there are many myths such as people who have poor hygiene get lice. This is false because lice actually tend to prefer clean hair to nest. In order to help prevent lice, there are precautions you can take. 

  • Avoid taking selfies where your heads are touching
  • Check family members regularly 
  • Avoid coming into close contact with someone who has lice

Symptoms of Lice

Having lice can not only be a pain in your daily routine but also to your scalp. If you believe your child or a family member has lice, there are some symptoms you can look out for while taking precautions. Here’s a list of symptoms to keep in mind:

  • Tickling on scalp
  • Constant itching on the scalp
  • Bite marks on scalp, neck, or shoulders
  • Seeing lice or lice nits on the scalp

These are the most common symptoms of lice, but if you’re still not sure, call Lice Clinics of America Upstate South Carolina to get yourself or your family professionally checked. 

So does the Weather’s Temperature Affect Lice?

As the weather changes, there are assumptions that the weather’s temperature affects lice. This is not true as the weather temperature has no direct affect on lice. However, it does affect us and our activities, which could increase or decrease the chances of lice. An example of this is when it’s warmer outside, children tend to play more with each other and therefore, lice can spread. Another example could be in the winter months when it’s cold outside, and friends and family spend more time inside in closer proximity to one another. 

Lice Removal in Greenville, SC

Lice Clinics of America in Upstate SC offers two locations: Greenville, SC and Anderson, SC. We offer our patented AirAlle treatment to effectively kill the lice and lice nits. This treatment distributes warm air onto the scalp without the pain of the multiple needed over-the-counter treatments. We are the largest professional lice treatment network with more than 750,000 successful treatments. What are you waiting for? Visit our website or call us now to become one of the 750,000 success stories!

Nits VS Lice

Nits VS Lice

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Head lice is a common problem, particularly in school-aged children. Although they are mostly harmless, they can be irritating and frustrating to deal with if they are not treated immediately. Untreated head lice can also lead to sickness through sores on the head that get infected. When you hear of head lice, you may wonder what the difference is between nits and lice. How do you differentiate them?

How to identify a nit

Nits are lice eggs that are found at the base of the hair shaft nearest to the scalp. The eggs can have a yellow or white appearance, but some live nits can appear to have the same color as the infested person’s hair. Nits are also oval-shaped and small in size. Oftentimes, nits are confused as dandruff, scabs, or hair spray droplets. They differ since they cannot be easily brushed away. 

What does lice look like?

Lice are the fully developed adult louse that comes from nits. Fully developed lice are about the size of a sesame seed and can be tan or grayish-white in appearance. Head lice survive by feeding off the blood on the scalp. While staying on the head, lice can live for around 30 days. If they were to fall off a person’s head, they would die within one to two days. 

Symptoms of Head Lice

Now knowing the difference between nits and lice, how do you know if you or a loved one has head lice? Common symptoms or signs of head lice are the feelings of something moving in the hair, and/or itching, irritability, and sores on the head caused by scratching. You can stop the spreading of head lice by catching them early on. If you notice you or your child experiencing any of these symptoms, it is important to go to a lice clinic immediately. Although head lice can only be spread by head-to-head contact, they are very contagious. 

Visit Lice Clinics of America in Anderson, SC to Get Treatment Today

If you are still unsure what lice look like, visit Lice Clinics of America Upstate SC to get help today. We can also offer information on the difference between nits vs lice. You can come in for a screening and consultation. Our team of experts will carefully screen the hair and scalp for any lice or nits. If we find any activity of head lice on the head or scalp we can help you to decide on an in-clinic treatment plan. Come to our clinic today for lice treatment in Anderson, SC. We also have a location in Greenville, SC. Call us today at 864-564-5354. 

The Do’s and Don'ts of Head Lice

The Do’s and Don’ts of Head Lice

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Learning what you can do and what not to do can be tricky in the head lice world, especially if this is your child’s first time getting lice. The number one thing we recommend to you is to not panic. We know this has completely turned your life upside down and now you don’t even know where to begin. Lucky for you, we’ve got some tips to help you navigate during this time.

Ways To Avoid Lice

There are precautions you can take to avoid getting lice. First and foremost, head lice are only spread through head-to-head contact. Regular checks at schools and at home are always a great first step to help catch lice and stop the spread. It is not very likely that lice will spread by way of inanimate objects but it is not impossible. Below are some precautionary measures you and your family can take to avoid lice:

  • Avoid head-to-head contact
  • Do not share hair accessories
  • Do not lie on bedding or couches that have recently been in contact with someone who has lice
  • Wash your clothes and bedding frequently 
  • If someone you know has lice, wash all clothes and bedding on the highest heat setting

What To Do If You Get Head lice

You or your child has lice, and you’re not sure what to do next. The very first thing you should do is to isolate your child and let others know who have come into contact with them. Next, you’ll want to wash all bedding and clothes in the highest heat setting in the washer and dryer. Then, you’ll want to contact Lice Clinics of America in Greenville, SC to make your one-time-only appointment to completely cure your child of head lice. You will also want to check the other members of the house for lice

What Not To Do If You Get Head Lice

We know it will be hard to not freak out, but you must remain calm. There’s a high chance your child is already upset because they have bugs in their hair. You won’t want to get a lice treatment over-the-counter due to it being time consuming, expensive and most importantly ineffective. Also, do not act like it’s nothing either and that you won’t have to do anything to get rid of the lice. Lice do not go away on their own and will only die if given proper treatment. 

Get Lice Treatment Today!

Asking yourself, “where is the best lice treatment near me?” Lice Clinics of America offers two locations in South Carolina: Greenville and Anderson. We are a lice treatment center ready to rid you and your family of lice. We offer our advanced AirAlle machine that kills the lice by using warm air on the scalp. Our service works effectively without having to use toxins or pesticides on your child’s scalp. There is no follow-up appointment needed, as we can assure your child will be lice-free after one visit. Call us today to book your appointment and get back to your life! 

Can Lice Make You Sick?

Can Lice Make You Sick?

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Are you worried about head lice making you feel sick? Some parents have heard horror stories of lice causing infections. Lice are already a pain to deal with, but can they get you sick? The short answer is no, but there are other ways to fall ill because of head lice. 

Can You Get Sick From Lice?

The truth is, head lice themselves do not carry diseases. If you do believe your child or family member is getting sick from lice, it could be due to a skin infection. Although rare, excessive scratching of the scalp can lead to sores on the head. These sores can be infected by bacteria and cause serious issues if left unattended. If those sores are infected, you should seek medical help immediately.

How to Check Yourself for Lice

If scratching of the scalp is the cause of sores, how do you prevent scratching? Catch the problem early on. When your child or family member is scratching their head, you should do a lice head check. How do you check for lice? The best place to check yourself for lice is the crown of the head, behind the ears, and at the nape of the neck. If you see any white or yellowish-brown eggs, those are nits. Any poppyseed-shaped and dark-colored bugs are lice. To be completely sure, it is good to go to a lice clinic immediately to get checked out.

 At Lice Clinics of America in Anderson, SC, we can perform a screening and consultation. We will carefully screen the hair and scalp for lice or nits. To get a reference, we will put them under a microscope for you to see. Going to a lice clinic will help ensure that the issue is solved, and prevent anything worse from occurring. Visiting a lice clinic will also allow you to speak to knowledgeable professionals so you know what to look for in the future if another outbreak were to occur again.

Come Get Checked for Lice at Our Anderson, SC Location

If your child or family would like to get checked and treated, we can help you today. At our clinic, we can check the scalp for any nits or lice. Our most popular treatment at Lice Clinics of America is our AirAllé treatment. Our AirAllé treatment is a three-step process that includes treating the scalp with the AirAllé device, a comb through, and oil application. The AirAllé device uses warm air to dehydrate the lice and kill them. The device is very effective and there should be little to no chance of needing a follow-up treatment. In the unlikely event that the treatment does not work, we will re-treat you for free within 45 days. If you do not want to worry about lice getting you sick, come to Lice Clinics of America. Stop by our lice treatment center in Anderson or Greenville, SC. Book an appointment with us today to be lice-free and stress-free.

Are Lice Attracted to Certain Hair Types?

Are Lice Attracted to Certain Hair Types?

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As a parent who has a child with lice for the first time it is normal to want to find answers. A common question parents have is if your child has a certain hair type, will that increase their chances for lice? The good news is that hair type does not make you more prone to getting head lice. The best thing you can do is take precautionary steps and if your child does end up getting lice, it’s best to seek out answers at Lice Clinics of America.

Are There Certain Hair Types Lice Prefer?

There is no specific hair type that lice prefer. All lice need is a clean strand of hair to attach to. It doesn’t matter the thickness, the length, if it’s been colored, if it’s straight, or if it’s curly. It has been found that people with longer hair tend to report getting lice. This is because with long hair there is more of a strand for lice to typically grab on to.

Common Head Lice Myths

Some people believe that cutting all their hair off or getting a buzz cut will prevent lice. This is not true. Even with short hair or buzzed hair, as long as there is hair, lice can attach. When someone gets lice there is also the myth that the person got lice because their hair is dirty or they have poor hygiene. That is false! Lice actually prefer clean hair over dirty hair. Lice also do not like hair that has a lot of product in it because excess product makes it harder for the lice to attach to the hair.

How to Check Yourself for Lice

In order to check yourself for lice, you need to go through your scalp and see if you find either lice nits or lice. Lice nits are lice eggs that appear to be oval-shaped, light in color such as white or yellow, and hard. Lice nits are also difficult to pull off your hair. Lice are dark in color such as brown or black, and usually can be seen on your scalp. You will also know you have lice by how severe your itching on your scalp may be. The best thing to do when you realize you have lice is to seek out a lice treatment center such as with Lice Clinics of America in Greenville, SC. 

Visit Lice Clinics of America in Greenville, SC

Lice Clinics of America has two locations in Greenville, SC and Anderson, SC. We offer our exclusive FDA-approved AirAlle device that kills the lice and lice nits in just one treatment. Our patented AirAlle device uses warm air on the scalp without having to use toxins or chemicals to kill the lice. This means no hassle of follow-up appointments and treatment that works. Contact us today to make your appointment!

Cleaning Your Home After A Lice Infestation: Do's and Don'ts

Cleaning Your Home After A Lice Infestation: Do’s and Don’ts

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If you are feeling that your head is itchy or your child is, it is important to check for lice. Itching is a major starting sign of lice.Your first priority should be to focus on the people and heads affected first. Go to a lice clinic to safely and efficiently treat the lice.  After a lice infestation, it is good to thoroughly clean your home. Once you’ve ensured you or your family is free of head lice, you’ll want to address any items in the house that may still harbor lice and eggs.

What To Do When Lice Are In Your Home 

Lice only spread from head to head contact, so you do not need to wash and vacuum everything in sight. The only concern you may have after a lice infestation are items that have touched the head directly. When checking for lice in your home there is a limited amount of objects that could still be carrying lice with them.

Possible Objects:

  • A hairbrush that was used in the past 3 days
  • A towel that was last used to dry your hair after a bath or shower
  • Pillowcase (not the pillow itself; lice do not burrow)
  • Stuffed animal or blanket used near the head
  • Cloth seat back, like a car seat

To get rid of the possibility of another infestation you should use hot water when washing clothes, sheets, or stuffed animals. Hair brushes can be soaked in hot water to ensure any leftover lice or eggs are dead. Your seat back or car seat can be vacuumed and lint rolled. Any other objects you have concerns about, you can put them in a trash bag and do not use any items for three days.

The Don’ts of Cleaning

When checking for lice or looking for signs of lice, it is important to remember that you do not need to clean the whole house. Head lice lay their eggs only in the human head. They do not lay their eggs on our stuff, therefore there is no need to feel panicked that your home is going to become infested. When you or a member of your household receives a lice diagnosis, it is important to leave it to professionals and not get rid of everything. Fleas and bedbugs are the only parasites that require you to clean the whole house.

Get More Information and Get Help at Lice Clinics of America

If you start to see signs of lice on yourself or a family member, it is important to go to a lice clinic immediately. At Lice Clinics of America, we will safely and effectively rid the lice from the head. We can also help with any advice in regards to cleaning the home and the aftermath of an infestation. Come to our clinic in the Anderson area of South Carolina. We also have a clinic in Greenville, SC. Book an appointment today at our Anderson, South Carolina location. 

Dangers Behind Untreated Lice

Dangers Behind Untreated Lice

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Much like any parasite, it is important to treat head lice. Leaving lice untreated can have serious consequences for the carrier, not only because of the itching, but it could lead to health problems. 

What Happens If You Do Not Treat Lice?

Most people believe that lice only causes itching at the scalp and are a pain to get rid of. In actuality, untreated head lice may degrade the scalp and affect its health. It will also affect your hair’s health as well. If the hair follicles become blocked, then hair loss may occur. It is hard to have well-conditioned hair if it is covered in head lice, lice eggs, and bacteria. Brushing your hair may also be more difficult due to the mass amount of lice. 

Can Untreated Head Lice Affect Your Health?

An untreated infestation can severely affect your health. Your scalp will itch due to the lice feeding off of the blood in your scalp. This can also lead to lice bites on your neck. It will also smell because of the build-up of bacteria on the lice, on their eggs, and in and on their excretions which will be deposited on the scalp. Leaving the scalp untreated could also result in a person developing anemia. This is due to the lice harvesting blood on the scalp. In some rare cases, a person can develop flu-like symptoms and have severe anemia. Lice bites on a person’s neck can also cause rashes to occur.

Does Lice Eventually Die Off?

Nits take seven to eleven days to hatch, then the head lice takes nine to twelve days to become fully grown adults. Once they become full grown adults, they can mate. Then lay their first eggs 24 hours after mating. The louse only needs to mate once to lay ten eggs a day for the thirty days of their lifetime. Over the span of thirty days, just one louse will produce 300 eggs. If left untreated the cycle will just continue, and the infestation will worsen. Lice will not die out on their own unless treated. The best way to remove head lice and keep them away is by going to a lice clinic and going through a gentle warm air hair treatment. Since lice have high water content, using controlled warm air dries out the lice and nits on the scalp.

Get Treated Today in Anderson!

At Lice Clinics of America, we use our signature AirAllé treatment to remove the lice from a person’s head. It is a three step process that will remove the lice and nits from your hair. We are confident that after treatment it will work and there’s no need for another treatment, but we do have a 30-day retreatment offer if there is still lice or nits. Book an appointment today or come to our location in Anderson, SC or in Greenville, SC.