The Environmental Impact of Lice Treatment: Sustainable Solutions for a Common Problem
Head lice are a nuisance to the individuals they infect and their families. While they are nothing beyond that, failing to treat the infestation properly will have severe negative effects. You might be tempted to perform a quick Google search to find the fastest way to get rid of the unwelcome guests, however, it should never be your first line of defense. Home remedies and DIYs pose a great risk because not only are they not backed by scientific research, but you could also be worsening the infestation. Remember, head lice removal is not just about quickness but also effectiveness. Head lice can spread rapidly and traditional home methods are not the best nor safest way to remove them.
Let’s say you’ve never dealt with head lice before and therefore, you don’t know where to start. In this case, going to Google isn’t all bad as long as you’re reviewing factual information from reputable, licensed, and professional sources. That’s where finding the proper resources and information from professionals can aid you in your search to find the right treatment option. Today we will briefly discuss what lice are, what makes them challenging to treat on your own, and what treatment options we offer at our lice removal clinic in Charlotte North Carolina.
What Are Head Lice?
Head lice are tiny bugs or parasites that live on a person’s scalp. They are about the size of a sesame seed and can vary in color. Normally they are light, however, if you have dark hair then they tend to be dark in color. This is just one of the many factors that make them difficult to identify with the naked eye. They have six legs in total and at the end of each are hook-like appendages. These allow them to travel up and down hair strands by gripping and holding onto them. They normally reside in the four hotspots on the scalp: behind the ears, at the crown of the head, around the hairline, and at the base of the neck.
Head lice start out as eggs, commonly known as nits. They are laid by a female head louse about ¼ of an inch above the scalp and are incredibly small as well. They are often mistaken for dandruff if seen with the naked eye. After about 8-9 days the egg hatches into a Nymph. For 9-12 days they feed on the blood of the scalp until they fully mature into a head louse. A female head louse can lay about 6-10 nits per day and complete a full life cycle in 30 days. As long as the pests have a constant food source they will continue to spread and multiply rapidly.
Head Lice Treatments And The Environment
There are many over-the-counter treatment options available to the public that claim to treat a head lice infestation. While it might be tempting to try out before seeking professional help, it’s important to note, again, that treatment is about quickness and effectiveness.
Do not use insecticides or other chemicals in your home to treat head lice. These products contain chemicals and ingredients that are extremely toxic and harmful. Don’t use flea or tick shampoos to treat head lice or any non-head lice product. Serious injuries can occur if you choose to use a product that wasn’t intended for head lice.
You might be surprised to know that basic vacuuming and hot water can be used to control (not treat) a head lice infestation within your home. Remember, head lice need a constant blood supply from the scalp in order to survive. Those that fall into carpets or furniture will die within 24 hours from simply not having access to their food source. If you’re washing clothes or linens of an infested individual, use hot water and hot air in the washer and dryer respectively.
As far as the environment is concerned, there are two specific ingredients that can be in lice treatments that pollute our waterways. Permethrin is toxic to fish and other aquatic animals while Lindane is incredibly difficult to remove from the water source itself.
With many options and treatments available it’s important to note that the best treatment for head lice is from a professional at our lice removal clinic in Charlotte NC. When treating this condition it’s all about the safety of the individual and those affected. Our licensed clinicians know the proper tools, treatments, and techniques to use in order to ensure you and your family are lice-free.
Lice Treatment Services
At Lice Clinics Charlotte, we pride ourselves on having the best staff in the state and the latest technology in the industry. Our prices are affordable and our treatments are effective. We are so confident that we guarantee one treatment is all you need. We have a variety of treatment options to choose from in order to ensure we find the best one for you.
Full-Service Airtral Exclusive Treatment
Our number one treatment service is a simple three-step process that doesn’t require a comb-out or follow-up appointment. After a screening from one of our clinicians, clients who choose this treatment option will receive a full-service experience using the latest technology. We will use warm air to dehydrate the head lice and nits to fully eliminate them from the scalp. Then the clinician will manually do a comb-out to remove the dead lice and nits from the hair, followed by an all-natural treatment solution.
This is the best option for lice removal as clients leave our office lice-free and are able to resume their normal activities. This treatment comes with a 30-day guarantee for those who are screened and treated at our office. The service is $185 per person.
Traditional Comb-Out
This service is recommended for those aged 3 years and younger. A licensed professional will section the hair and use specific tools to remove the head lice and nits from the hair and scalp. In the end, an all-natural hair solution will be applied. Although effective, it is not a one-time treatment and additional comb-out sessions will need to be completed at home to ensure full elimination. This service is $90 per person.
Peace Of Mind Mini Treatment
Our mini treatment is for anyone who feels itchy, was exposed to head lice, treated someone with a drugstore treatment, and can’t check it yourself, or if you don’t think you have head lice but just want to double-check and make sure. This treatment includes a head check, comb-out, and an application of our soothing treatment solution. If a nit or louse is found then you will be able to choose the best treatment option for you, just pay the difference. This service is $50 per person.
Do-It-Yourself Lice Removal Kit and Screening
We offer a DIY kit for those who would prefer to perform the comb-out themselves but just need safe tools and products from a professional source. The kit includes our Treatment Solution, Professional Lice Comb, and Mousse. It’s $75 per kit and the parent or caretaker will need to perform several comb-outs for 10-12 days consecutively.
A screening is a simple quick comb-through service we perform to determine whether or not someone has head lice. Once an active case has been confirmed, it’s vital every person within the household gets screened. Screenings are $20 per person.
Don’t Wait To Treat
Head lice can spread easily and rapidly if left untreated or improperly treated for a period of time. As stated in the beginning, the best option for treating head lice is to seek help from a professional lice treatment service. We at Lice Clinics Charlotte strongly believe that our licensed clinicians and revolutionary technology will be the last stop in eliminating head lice for you and your family.
For further information on treatment options or to schedule an appointment, give us a call at 910-264-7141 or visit our website today!