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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.

Spring into Head Lice Prevention: Tips from Lice Clinics of America® – Greenville

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“When parents are confronted with head lice, they often react in a panic—we see it every day,” said Heather Purtle, owner of Lice Clinics of America Greenville. “They don’t know what to do, primarily because people don’t like to talk about head lice until they have to. Then they panic.”

“The best defense against head lice is a good offense,” Purtle said.

Indeed, since 12 million children under 13 years old get head lice each year— with 48 million children in the U.S. alone—one in four will get head lice.

“It pays to have a plan in advance,” Purtle said.

What can you do to prepare for head lice? Here are Purtle’s tips for helping to prevent an infestation:

 

  1. Use lice prevention products. New products are available in the form of sprays, rinses, and shampoos that serve as lice repellent. Lice Clinics of America offers a complete line of non-toxic products guaranteed to be effective. Their new spray, Pure Repel, is designed for use on household items like clothing, furniture, and backpacks where lice may be clinging to a strand of hair that has fallen from someone’s scalp.

 

  1. Get professional screening. Head lice are notoriously tricky to diagnose. Children can be symptom-free for weeks before the signature scratching begins. Lice Clinics of America offers screenings for a modest fee that is waived if lice are found and treatment is purchased.

 

  1. Know what works and what doesn’t. Traditional lice products are increasingly ineffective because lice have become resistant to the pesticides they use. A 2016 study published in the Journal of Medical Entomology found that 98 percent of head lice carry a genetic resistance to pyrethroids, the class of pesticides used in the most popular lice shampoos. Don’t waste money and time on them. Lice Clinics of America’s AirAllé® medical device has been clinically shown to kill live lice and more than 99 percent of eggs (nits) using carefully controlled heated air to dehydrate lice and eggs. The entire treatment takes about an hour and is guaranteed to be effective. See if there’s a clinic near you and make sure you have the phone number handy when lice strike!

 

  1. Stock your home with lice supplies. It’s common to detect head lice at night, such as bath time, when stores may be closed. Keep lice prevention products on hand. There’s also a home version of the AirAllé device, called OneCureTM, that treats head lice on the spot. Like AirAllé, OneCure uses heated air and treatment takes about an hour.

 

  1. Talk to your friends about head lice. Silence is a significant contributor to head lice outbreaks. If your child comes home with head lice, gets treated, and you send them back to school or day care, odds are they will get lice again if other parents aren’t alerted, and their children aren’t checked. No one likes to talk about head lice, but you really should. And no one is to blame—lice afflict all social and economic groups. Watch actress Jennifer Garner’s story about meeting George Clooney when her children had lice!

 

“Lice happen, but they don’t have to happen to you,” Purtle said.

Spring into action this year and take steps to prevent head lice from marching into your household.

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 Says Don’t Let Lice Drive You Mad This March

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Heather Purtle, owner of Lice Clinics of America – Greenville, wants the only madness you experience this March be due to college basketball. But as head lice have become a growing problem in the area, and spring break vacations bringing kids in close quarters, Purtle says it pays to be prepared and to know how to treat head lice quickly and effectively.

“The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) says some 12 million children under 13 years-old get head lice each year,” Purtle said. “There are about 48 million children in that age group in the United States, which means one in four will contract head lice.”

“Head lice are a growing problem due to the phenomena called ‘super lice,’” Purtle said. “There isn’t anything particularly terrifying about these bugs, it is just that most lice in many countries, including the United States, are now immune to the pesticides used in popular lice shampoos.”

The most recent study on the subject, published in the Journal of Medical Entomology in 2016, found that 98 percent of head lice are new genetically resistant to pyrethroids, the class of pesticides common in lice products.

“Super lice are everywhere,” Purtle said. “Including Greenville.

“We see first-hand how head lice can be maddening for parents as they often try several times to treat children with traditional products, not knowing they won’t work,” Purtle said. “Meanwhile, they are dousing children’s hair in pesticides, which have been linked to behavioral and developmental problems in children.”

If your child does come home with head lice, Lice Clinics of America – Greenville has a guaranteed solution. The clinic is part of the world’s largest network of professional lice treatment centers and the exclusive provider of treatment using the revolutionary AirAllé® medical device. The AirAllé device was cleared by the FDA after it was found in clinical trials to kill live lice and more than 99 percent of eggs (nits) in a single one-hour treatment. Treatment is guaranteed to be effective.

“When we tell people they can be lice-free in an hour, guaranteed, they are thrilled,” Purtle said. “Especially when they’ve been trying, and failing, to treat it on their own.”

AirAllé was developed by researchers at the University of Utah and uses microprocessor-controlled heated air to dehydrate lice and eggs on the spot. It is effective against super lice because it doesn’t use pesticides or chemicals. The device is used in more than 350 clinics in 36 countries and has successfully treated nearly half a million cases of head lice with a success rate better than 99 percent.

“This is science and medicine at work,” Purtle said. “It is safe, fast and effective. Guaranteed.”

There’s no reason to go mad this March for any reason other than your bracket getting busted. Good luck!

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 Warns Consumers Against Ineffective Lice Treatments

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“I can’t tell you how many times people come to our clinic after trying some kooky home remedy for head lice,” said Heather Purtle of Lice Clinic of America – Greenville. “Olive oil, butter, even kerosene! Maybe this story will help people avoid wasting time and money on treatments that don’t work.”

Purtle is referring to a story by Verify, a consumer protection program of WUSA Channel 9 in Washington, D.C., that is “… on a mission to separate fact from fiction in news and social media. We respect truth above all and believe in transparency.”

The program took on the issue of head lice to answer the question, “Does coconut oil and vinegar treat head lice?”

“A viewer read on Facebook that coconut oil and apple cider vinegar can help kill and remove head lice,” according to the program’s website. “She asked us to verify whether it’s true.”

The short answer: “Nope.”

The Verify team dug into scientific research and interviewed authorities on head lice treatment. The team also found research from scientists at the University of California that studied at-home remedies including vinegar, isopropyl alcohol, olive oil, mayonnaise, melted butter, and petroleum jelly for their efficacy at controlling head lice. After the study, the researchers concluded, “None of the home remedy products we surveyed was an effective means of louse control.”

“People spend weeks trying to treat head lice based on advice they get on the internet, while we have an FDA-cleared, scientifically proven solution that cures head lice in an hour,” Purtle said. “I just wish more people would find us before they waste time trying these baseless home solutions.”

Home lice treatment has gotten more difficult in recent years because lice have developed immunity to the pesticides used by the most popular lice treatment products. A 2016 study published in the Journal of Medical Entomology found that 98 percent of head lice in most U.S. states now carry a genetic resistance to pyrethroids, the class of pesticides used in the most popular lice treatment products. Pyrethroids have also been linked to behavioral and developmental problems in children, especially boys.

“The good news is that at Lice Clinics of America – Greenville we have the FDA-cleared AirAllé® medical device that is clinically shown to kill live lice and more than 99 percent of eggs in a single hour-long session,” Purtle said.  “AirAllé® uses carefully controlled heated air to dehydrate lice and eggs. Best of all it’s completely pesticide free.”

The AirAllé® device was developed by scientists at the University of Utah and is now used in more than 350 clinics in 36 countries. The device has treated some half million cases of head lice with a success rate better than 99 percent.

“When people find out they can be lice-free in an hour, they are overjoyed,” Purtle said. “They almost always say, ‘I wish I’d found you sooner,’ so we’re trying to get the word out.”

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