Summer Lice Tips for Parents

Kids naturally look forward to the summer months when they're out of school and can enjoy outdoor activities like swimming, camping, sports, and just hanging out with friends.  Unfortunately, head lice don't take a break when the school season ends.  Whether your child's on a baseball team or headed out to summer camp, it's important to keep in mind those pesky little buggers love anything involving lots of kids - and lots of heads!

At Nit Free Noggins we cater to those in the Chicago and surrounding areas of Illinois, and know the importance of head checks before and after camp, and how easily it is for kids who participate in any summer activities to contract lice.  Lots of children play baseball or softball during the summer months; should your child wear another child's helmet, that could be all it takes for an infestation to develop. We cannot stress enough the importance of checking kids' heads for the presence of head lice before heading off to camp, and once it ends.  As a parent, be sure to keep a close eye on your child's head for the presence of lice or nits!  

Prevention products also work to keep your kids free of those itching buggers during summer months.  While kids and teachers enjoy summer vacation, head lice don't take vacation - they take every opportunity to find a new place to call home.  Our safe Chicago lice treatment help keep your child free of lice over summer include shampoo, conditioner, and our repelling mint spray, all designed to fight those pesky critters without harsh chemicals or damage to hair.  Enjoy a spectacular summer with your kids, and put the worries of head lice behind you!  For more information or to take preventive measures, be sure to give Nit Free Noggins a call!

Don’t feel like a bad mom because your kids get head lice

Chicago Head Lice Treatment

Tips For Staying Lice Free

• Avoid sharing brushes, combs, hats, scarfs, towels, headphones - anything that touches the head and hair.
• Check bedding, towels and rugs during a school outbreak to make sure they have not reached your home.
• Watch for early signs of infestation that include scratching or fiddling with the hair.
• Stop infestation from spreading. If your child gets lice, inform the school, friends and family to prevent further infestation.

Paul McCartney Parody "Head Lice"

FAQs

Do head lice jump?
No! Head lice do not jump or fly. They are good crawlers, however, and will readily move from one host to another.

Where do head lice come from?
Head lice come from other people who have head lice. Head lice are human parasites that have been in existence for tens of thousands of years. Dried up head lice and their eggs have been found on the hair of Egyptian mummies. They have adapted to be extremely good survivors.

Do pets get head lice?
No. Head lice cannot live on pets. Head lice can only live on human heads.

Do I have to treat everyone if only one person is found to have head lice?
It is very common for close family or friends of infested individuals to also have lice. It is suggested that you check everyone. You do not want to treat anyone who does not have head lice; however, we suggest you recheck everyone every few days for at least 10-15 days.

How do I treat my home?
Head lice are human parasites and require regular feedings of human blood to survive. Using fumigants or pesticide sprays in your home are unwarranted, and they pose environmental hazards. Vacuuming the carpet, washing sheets in hot water, throwing pillows into your dryer for 20-30 minutes, placing hair ties/hair brushes in a zip lock bag and place in the freezer for overnight or boil for 10-20 minutes should do the trick for you.

What are the symptoms of head lice?
Head lice are most commonly found on the scalp, behind the ears and near the neckline at the base of the head. Unless seen, symptoms of infestation are easy to miss: Tickling sensation or feeling something moves through the hair. An allergic reaction to the bites causes the itching. Viable eggs are usually located within 1/4 inch of the scalp. Eggs more than one-half an inch away from the scalp are usually not viable.

Who is at risk of getting head lice?
Everyone is at risk. If you have contact with an infected person, you can get them.

What are some steps I can take to help prevent and control the spread of head lice?
Avoid head to head contact such as during play, sleepovers or other activities at home, school, and elsewhere. Do not share, combs, brushes or towels used by an infested person. Do not share clothing such as hats, scarves, coats, hair ribbons or barrettes. Machine wash and dry clothing, bed linens, and other items that an infested person used or wore during the previous 2 days using a hot water laundry cycle and high heat drying cycle. Do not use fumigant sprays or fogs; they are not necessary to control head lice and can be toxic if inhaled or absorbed through the skin

How do I treat my home after an outbreak?

• The first line of defense is to wash linens, pillowcases, hats and clothes in very hot water that is at least 150F/66C for no less than 10 minutes. This is usually accomplished by washing these items in hot water and drying with high heat.
• There are many items that are not machine washable, but must also be treated. Again, isolation is the best method for dealing with these items, including stuffed animals, pillows, helmets or headphones. You should expect these items to be out of commission for up to 3 days. Items can also be placed in the dryer for 30 minutes.
• Thoroughly vacuum carpets, furniture, floors and cars.. After vacuuming the couch, you may place a sheet on it for laundering at the end of the day. If there are items you cannot wash you can bag them or put them in a room that you don't use for a few days to starve them. Removing their food source is a good way to prevent lice reinfestation.
• Boil hair brushes for 20 minutes, soak in rubbing alcohol, or put in a sealed bag for 2 weeks. Label all brushes so they are not shared. Do not share beds, pillows, or hats.
• Hair accessories can be boiled, soaked in rubbing alcohol for 20 minutes, or put in a sealed bag for 2 weeks, which gives the bugs time to die, and the eggs time to hatch and then die.

Head Lice Removal Products | Shampoo & Combs

*Cootie Control Shampoo, 10 oz., $12 A shampoo a day, can keep the lice away! Made with the highest quality of natural and pesticide-free products and essential oils, including tea tree oil, and peppermint oil that is good for your hair and scalp while also fighting head lice. Cootie Control Shampoo is sulfate free and is ideal for children and adults who have a sensitive scalp. Stop using harsh chemicals and use nature’s best. Try all of our Cootie Control preventative products to keep your family lice free!
*Cootie Control Conditioner, 8 oz., $12 Cootie Control Conditioner is the first of its’ kind for a natural conditioner that is good for your hair and scalp while also fighting lice. Made with the highest quality natural ingredients and essential oils. The result is a sulfate free conditioner with detangling properties, that is great for daily use and fighting head lice. High Quality ingredients allow Cootie Control Conditioner to detangle the hair and leave a smooth and silky luster. Perfect to use before combing with the Terminator comb! Stop using harsh chemicals and use nature’s best. Try all of our Cootie Control preventative products to keep your family lice free!
*Cootie Control Repelling Mint Spray, 8 oz., $12 Cootie Control Repelling Mint Spray is a first of its kind lice fighting tool using a specialized mint formula to help ward off head lice. Cootie Control Repelling Mint Spray may be used as often as necessary without leaving an oily residue. It will leave a great mint scent that lice will find offensive.
*These products are not sold as a pediculicide (a chemical used to kill lice)