How To Know If You Have Lice

It’s a dreaded question for some. Having or being exposed to someone who has head lice can be an absolute nuisance to deal with if not treated in the proper amount of time. The pesky parasites cause severe head itching and scratching, leaving many families with numerous questions. 

One of them is, “How to know if you have head lice.”

It’s a reasonable and fair inquiry, although answering it requires more than a quick Google check. 

Because of their physiology and reproduction rate, for example, head lice can be extremely difficult to identify by the untrained eye. Just because you feel an itch, doesn’t mean that you 100% have head lice. In that same token, just because your child shared a hairbrush when they went over to their friends this weekend, doesn’t 100 percent guarantee that they will now have head lice.

If you have never had to experience the bothersome parasite before, then it’s understandable why you might feel overwhelmed by the amount of information there is out there about them. Despite this, there’s no need to panic. Our lice treatment goes beyond physical practice. We pride ourselves on not only offering signature head lice treatment services but also ensuring our clients understand the complex world of head lice.

What Are Head Lice?

Before we deep dive into symptoms and treatments, let’s get a basic understanding of what exactly head lice are.

Firstly, head lice are not the same as body lice. Their official name is Pediculus humanus capitis, and they feed off of blood from the scalp. They don’t travel around the body and can survive on inanimate objects like their counterparts. 

They are often light in appearance but can be darker if the person has darker hair. An adult head louse is about the size of a sesame seed and has six legs in total. At the end of each, are hook-like claws that allow them to firmly grip and move around the hair shaft. They lay about 6-10 nits, or eggs, a day and have a complete life cycle of about 30 days. They can reside anywhere on the scalp but they do have four favorite hiding spots: the nape of the neck, behind the ears, the temples, and the crown of the head. Also, female head lice are larger in size compared to males. When a female head louse lays a nit, it takes about six to nine days for them to hatch into baby lice or nymphs. Nits are super small, about the size of a single knot in a piece of thread. They are also light in color and are often mistaken for dandruff or water droplets on the hair. Strategically placed about ¼ of an inch above the scalp, nits are not going to be removed by simply washing the hair or combing it with a traditional hair tool.

Nymphs are baby lice and it takes about seven days to fully mature. Once they do, they can begin feeding and females can lay even more nits. 

And the cycle continues. 

With the hook-like claws and the close proximity to the scalp, you can understand why adult head lice and their nits are incredibly challenging to remove without the proper professional care.

How To Know If You Have Lice

Symptoms of head lice include: 

• Intense and frequent itching
• A tickling feeling on the scalp
• The presence of lice on your hair 
• Nits on the hair shaft
• Bite marks
• Sores on the scalp, neck, or shoulders

Now, although we listed some symptoms above, it still does not mean that the untrained eye can positively diagnose a case of head lice. 

We understand it’s tempting to run straight to the internet when you think you or someone you’re close to has head lice. The best way you can know for sure if you have head lice is if you schedule an appointment at Lice Clinics Charlotte and are seen by one of our clinicians. If we find any nits or head lice, treatment options will be discussed in detail to ensure you receive the best treatment. 

Treatments

Lice Clinics Charlotte’s lice treatment options are the best in the state, offering a variety of choices to fit every budget and meet every need. 

Our signature Airtral full-service treatment is scientifically based and uses warm air to eliminate all head lice and their nits. Then a clinician will perform a manual comb-out to remove any dead lice and their dehydrated nits. Lastly, they will apply an all-natural treatment solution to the hair and scalp. 

This treatment requires no follow-up appointment or additional comb-through services. You and your family can leave lice-free and resume your daily activities without any worry or stress. 

For those who are unsure or worried, we have the Peace of Mind Mini Treatment. 

This service is for those who want to make sure they nor someone who lives with them have any signs of head lice. This includes a head check, comb-through, and an application of our Soothing Treatment solution. The Peace of Mind Mini Treatment is a $50 flat fee and if any head lice or nits are found, then you will be able to choose the treatment option best for you and pay the difference. 

See? We are better than Google. 

Lice Clinics Charlotte: The Local Solution

We understand that head lice can be bothersome and stressful if not treated properly and immediately. That is why we not only value our treatment services but also the communication we have with our patients. Fully understanding what head lice are, we believe, is just as important as receiving the treatment service to eliminate them. This is why you can rest assured in knowing that you are in good, knowledgeable hands. We know that this is an issue that many, if not everyone, wants to avoid. 

But if you do find yourself in a situation where you need professional assistance, Lice Clinics Charlotte is the way to go. 

For further information about additional treatment services or to schedule an appointment, give us a call today!