What is HEAD LICE

Human parasites. Pediculosis capitis

Infestation with lice (pediculus humanus) resulting in severe itching

What are NITS

Egg or young of an insect parasitic on humans especially a sucking louse; often attached to a hair or item of clothing

What is a live NIT

An egg that has not hatched

What is a dead NIT

There are no dead nits, they have either hatched or what is left is just a shell

Studies show that widely available shelf products have not been able to penetrate the egg

Can a lice live off the head

Yes for up to 48 hours

How long can they live on the head?

Lice may live for several weeks (up to 40 days) on a person, but they rarely live more than 48 hours when removed from a person's body.

Can the lice live on bed linen

Yes for up to 48 hours

How many eggs can a lice lay a day

Up to 6 eggs a day

How many eggs does a female head louse lay?

A female head louse produces about six eggs per day and a total of about 88 eggs during her lifetime.

Why did my child get head lice?

Head Lice do not discriminate.

Head Lice is transferred by communal living e.g. primary school, church groups, children sitting closely together, shoulder to shoulder contact.

Head lice are very hearty and have been around since pre-historic times. They are constantly looking for ideal places to lay their eggs and thrive. They are very resistant to attack and do not give up their homes easily. Most children will eventually come into contact with head lice and it has nothing to do with personal hygiene.

Is there a way to simply wash head lice away?

No. If that were the case then head lice would just disappear as soon as an infected person took a shower. Head lice have very sharp claws that dig into the scalp and hold on tight. All that happens after you wash your hair is that you have clean hair that's infected with head lice rather than dirty hair that's infected.

Why do head lice seem to appear overnight?

Head lice are very active and they will move from head to head very quickly. The moment they make contact with a new head, each female will lay 6 to 8 eggs every day. These eggs hatch approx 7 days after, and the newly hatched lice will themselves begin to lay eggs by the time they are just 18 days old! By the time you notice the first head louse you already have hundreds in your hair.

Will everyone know that my child is being treated for head lice with NO MORE NITZ?

Not unless you or your child tells them.

We do suggest that you inform the school of the recent infestation, however make it clear that your child has been professionally cleaned by No More Nitz, by simply presenting a ‘FREE Clearance Certificate.

How do head lice and nits differ?

Head lice are the insects that crawl around on your head. Nits are actually clusters of tiny brown/grayish/white sacs that contain eggs. Nits generally cluster close to the skin but they can also appear on individual hair strands. If you try to remove the nits, you probably will pull hairs out because they are firmly attached with a glue substance.

Wouldn’t it be easier to just kill them all at once?

It would be easier, but unfortunately, it doesn’t always happen that way. Some treatments do work right away, but they don’t work for everyone. A particularly resistant strain of lice might not be affected by the treatment, and some heads are overly sensitive and cannot tolerate harsh treatments. And even if the treatment is successful, the next day when your child returns to school with a lice-free head, other children with lice can again infect your child. You’re familiar with that cycle, aren’t you?

At No More Nitz, we get rid of all the lice and eggs (nits), your job thereafter is to prevent it from coming back with the Prevention Products that we supply in the salon.  Speak to a consultant about the products.

How long does it take to have a NO MORE NITZ treatment

The treatment is done in just 2 hours.  For severe cases a treatment can take up to 3 hours.

After a NO MORE NITZ treatment are the lice alive

No

Is NO MORE NITZ 100% Guaranteed

Yes, we Guarantee that we get rid of all the head lice and their eggs.

What we can’t Guarantee is that you won’t be re-infected by other children; from your own living environment; or from other family members who haven’t been treated.

After a NO MORE NITZ treatment are the nits alive

No the product dissolves the glue that attaches the egg to the hair and penetrates the eggs outer shell

After a NO MORE NITZ treatment are the lice dead

Yes

After a NO MORE NITZ treatment are the nits dead

Yes

What do they eat

Human blood from the head

Can they live in the eyebrow

Yes

Can they live in the bead

Yes

Can they live in the moustache

Yes

Can they live on chest hair

No, too far from the head

Do they jump

Head lice to not have hind legs to hop or jump.  They also do not have wings and cannot fly.

Do they fly

No

How is NO MORE NITZ different from other treatments?

NO MORE NITZ is different, firstly because of the product that we use is exclusive to the company and secondly because of the strict processes and procedures put in place to ensure that the head lice treatment is effective, efficient, conducted in a timely manner and quality controlled, every time. 

TREATMENT PROCESS

The treatment process at NO MORE NITZ works in such a way that kills the live lice and dissolves the glue that attaches the eggs to the hair shaft.

1^{st Step}:  Firstly we apply the natural product and leave for an allocated period of time depending on the infestation level.

2^{nd Step}:  We then comb out the head lice and their eggs.  If the client has a low level infestation, they will miss this step.  This is at the discretion of the Treatment Consultant.

3^{rd Step}: We then wash the hair, shampoo and conditioner.

4^{th Step}: Undertake another comb out to spot any problem areas or excess lice.

5^{th Step}: Partially blow dry the scalp area and hair.

6^{th Step}: Quality Control - Client is then screened under the magnifying lamp by a Treatment Consultant.

7^{th Step}: Quality Control - Client is screened one last time under the magnifying lamp by a Quality Control Consultant.

NO MORE NITZ is a one off treatment that helps families break the lice cycle.

What about using other oils such as Eucalyptus and Tea Tree?

Our studies show that Tea Tree, while it does have many valuable uses, is not an effective head lice treatment. And unfortunately, both of these oils can be irritating to the skin because they are fairly aggressive.

Can you help me understand what head lice are?

Head lice actually are tiny insects that survive only on human blood and only live on the heads of humans. Evidence of head lice on humans has been traced back several thousand years. They’ve actually been uncovered in the remains of ancient Egyptian burial sites.

How do head lice get on my child’s head?

Head lice migrate from the heads of others who are infected with lice. So they can actually come from anyone with whom your child has close contact such as your child’s friends and classmates. Head lice can be passed innocently anytime your child is in close proximity to someone with lice such as when hugging, or when looking at the same computer monitor or even when reading from the same book.  

Are some groups at higher risk of getting head lice than others?

No. Head lice is spread by close contact meaning that anyone regardless of race, age, gender, social status, or personal hygiene habits who does not completely isolate him or herself from others can get head lice.

Remember: Head Lice do not discriminate

How did my child’s head become infected with head lice?

Your child’s hair came into contact with another person’s strand of hair, creating somewhat of a bridge for lice. Contrary to what many believe, lice walk; they don’t jump. All they have to do is walk down a strand of hair and then when another strand comes along, they grab that one and they keep on walking.

How will I recognize head lice?

Head lice are similar in size to a sesame seed; those seeds atop hamburger buns. Newly hatched head lice are similar in size to grains of sand.  Their colour ranges from dark brown to a lighter-colored brown. When head lice are full of blood, as they are after eating, they’re darker brown. As the blood digests, the colour continues to lighten.

How will I know when my child’s head has lice?

Because most children are always coming into close contact with other children, you should understand that the possibility of head lice is always present. That means your child can become infected at any time, and most likely will at one point or another.

Are there any symptoms or any signs of an infestation of head lice?

Yes, there are several. An itchy, scratchy head is the most common sign of a head lice infestation. Other signs/symptoms include: visible tiny, sesame seed-shaped insects moving about the head; visible rash behind ears, around back of neck and at or above the hairline; whitish-coloured sacs attached to shafts of hair and located very close to the skin that cannot be pulled off hairs; the appearance on pillows, hair combs or at the roots of very small black specs which may either be lice feces or newly hatched lice.

Can an infestation of head lice be diagnosed?

Diagnosis of head lice is simple: Look close to the scalp and if you see head lice moving about, an infestation is confirmed. Once a diagnosis is confirmed, simply contact NO MORE NITZ and book for a treatment to have them all removed as soon as possible.  The longer you leave the infestation, the more expensive the treatment gets, simply due to the infestation level.

How come the quantity of lice varies from head to head?

Unfortunately there is no good answer to the question of why some infestations are relatively minor while others are major.

Even within the same family, one child’s head might attract lice while the other child’s head remains lice free. Some factors that distinguish the different situation include your child’s playmates, and the degree of closeness a child exhibits with others. No one has so far been able to explain why some children get more lice than others.

One belief is that there is something about the chemistry of a child’s skin and blood type that attracts lice.

What type of environment do lice prefer?

Food and warmth are what lice seek which is why they tend to remain near the skin. The areas behind both ears and at the back of the neck are desirable locations. Together, the blood vessels beneath skin and the hair strands provide warmth for lice. That’s why when lifting the hair you’re usually able to see a pinkish blush on the skin’s surface and also tiny white-colored eggs on the hairs. Be sure to thoroughly check through hair because lice are very mobile.

Is it true that lice fly and jump?

No. This isn’t true. Lice only walk. Their legs are hooked and stubby making it impossible for them to fly or jump. Anytime you happen to see something jumping on or flying near a child’s head, it’s most likely an insect or perhaps even a flea, but it is definitely not head lice.

Can head lice burrow down beneath the skin?

Yes they can.  Cases seen here at No More Nitz clearly indicate that head lice have the potential to live within an open wound in the head.  Cases have presented whereby the lice are clearly living on the immediate blood source.

This is a dangeous senario which has the potential to put a client in hospital

Why does the colour of head lice change?

A head louse’s outer layer or ex-skeleton is made up of a very thin, bone-like material that when viewed in light, is the colour of light brown. As lice feed on blood, however, the appearance of this outer layer darkens. As the blood begins to digest, the colour begins to lighten up again. That’s why their colouring changes so often. The color is really a matter of how much blood is not yet digested.

Head lice also have the ability to blend in with the color of the hair.  They can easily camoflague with the hair.

Can babies and the elderly get head lice

Here at No More Nitz we have had cases treating the following individuals:

• Babies
• Disabilies
• Down Syndrome
• Elderly
• Pregnant
• Children with severe disabilites
  

What are the life stages of a louse?

Each time a head louse enters a different stage, it leaves its shell. What remains is light-brown colored dead skin that resembles a dead louse. As you comb through hair these shells will fall out and make it appear as though the infestation is much worse than it is. They’ll also fall out of the hair naturally and they’ll land on pillows.

Which do head lice prefer – hair that’s dirty or clean?

Head lice don’t have a preference over clean or dirty hair. Their main concerns are food, shelter and keeping warm. When it comes to head lice, the only difference between clean and dirty hair is that when hair is dirty, it’ll have more egg casings, shed skins and other debris which makes the infestation seem worse than it really is.

Does dyed or bleached hair deter head lice?

So far there is no evidence that treated hair affects head lice in any way, including preventing infestations.

How long can a head louse live once it’s dislodged from your body?

Once dislodged, a louse can survive only around two days because it won’t have a source of moisture or food. A louse will survive less than this in colder climates and if it hadn’t eaten prior to its being dislodged. Head lice understand that separation from the environment they need for survival means death so they do what they can to remain firmly attached to the head.

Can sharing hats and clothing spread head lice?

Transmission this way can happen. It is best that children do not share hats; brushes; jackets etc. 

Is it likely I’ll find head lice on my furniture?

Yes is it likely you will find lice on the mattress; couch and the car upholstery.  Options for cleaning are use a vacuum for these surfaces and spray with a lice prevention spray from No More Nitz.

This needs to be done immediately after a treatment at No More Nitz.  It is also best that you keep the children away from these areas until they have been vacummed and sprayed.

Is it necessary to cleanse my home?

Yes, definitely best to clean, vacuum and spray all common areas, upholstery and mattresses in the house.

Is it necessary to wash and then spray an infested person’s bedding?

Yes, all the linen needs to be washed in hot water.  Then vacuum the spray the mattress.  With regards to the pillow it is best to replace it or put it in the dryer for 10 minutes on hot.  If the infestation level is over Level 3, we highly suggest that the pillow be replaced.

Can I use a household spray for killing lice?

Do not do this! If you do you’ll only increase your risks of exposing yourself and your home to potentially toxic substances. If someone tells you to do this, don’t believe it and don’t waste your money.

Is it a good idea to hire a company specializing in pest control to come and spray the house?

This is not a good idea.  You can do the required cleaning yourself, as noted above. 

Will head lice ever migrate onto my pets?

No. Humans have nits and Animals have fleas.  Lice is our pest, whereby fleas are an animal’s pest.

Head lice prefer human heads and there are other strains of lice and fleas that affect pets. Now some lice that live on pets will bite humans and if you find your pet has fleas/lice, it’s important to treat your pet accordingly. A dog or cat’s fleas go through more development stages than head lice do and these can live in your carpets and your bedding.

If you discover bites on your ankles that are big and lumpy, then you’ve likely got fleas living in the carpets.

Can I swim if I have head lice?

Through tests conducted at No More Nitz, head lice can survive in water and often float to the top of the water.  Therefore lice can be transmitted through swimming, so we highly recommend that you do not swim when you have an infestation.

Do I need to shave off my child’s hair?

Shaving a child’s head is one way to get rid of head lice, but the emotional consequences of doing so are great. Your children likely will feel embarrassed and quite possibly will be teased by other children afterwards. We here at NO MORE NITZ don’t feel it’s necessary to take such an extreme measure, we simply get rid of all the lice and eggs, for you.

Is it better to cut my child’s hair?

Since head lice prefer to stay close to the scalp where it’s warm and where the food supply is, shorter hair isn’t going to make the job of getting rid of head lice any easier. Cutting hair especially isn’t recommended if your child will resent you for this later on. Combing long or curly hair will be much easier and quicker after it’s been oiled. Dreadlocks are more challenging because this type of hair is difficult, if not impossible, to comb.

Is it better to wear hair down or up?

Hair that is long and that’s allowed to flow loosely increases the chances of it coming into contact with another person’s hair. This then increases the chances of transmitting head lice. Therefore, it makes more sense to keep hair tied back. With small children, head to head contact happens more towards the front of the head. That’s because children, when sharing secrets or books will often put heads down.

Is it true that head lice are starting to become resistant to pesticides?

This is not the case.  The problem with products on the shelf is that they don’t assist in getting rid of the eggs in the hair.  Therefore the head lice is never gone, the cycle continues, hence the reason people have the head lice for so long.

This is why the NO MORE NITZ treatment is so unique and effective.  Here we get rid of all the lice and the eggs in one treatment.  Today NO MORE NITZ is the leading specialist in the treatment and removal of head lice in Australia.

Is there a way to prevent head lice?

Keep your child’s hair up.  Spray Prevention everyday prior to going to school – over the top of the hair, back of neck and on the shoulders.

You can’t isolate your child from school, so you need to be diligent in search for signs of head lice on a daily basis.  If found, remove them promptly before they’re able to lay their eggs.

If I treat myself, will it prevent me from getting a head lice infestation?

Treating yourself for head lice when you (or your children) don’t have lice isn’t a good idea. Treat only when the presence of head lice has been confirmed.

Treating yourself if you have lice is very hard, as you can’t see the back of the head.  You need to be treated by a professional to ensure that all the lice and eggs are removed from you head.

Anytime you leave traces of the treatment product on your or your child’s hair, you’re increasing the risks of long-term exposure to potentially dangerous substances.

If hair lice are discovered, should my child be kept at home?

This question has no easy answer and the answer can depend on where you live. Children living in Australia are usually kept home when lice or nits are discovered. Doing so creates many problems, especially for single parents, including stress, chaos and even financial trouble. Parents who work may have to miss work to stay home with the child. Desperate Australian parents contact us looking for urgent treatment with results so that they can return to school and work.

We at NO MORE NITZ believe the issue of head lice is better handled in non-US countries. Regardless of commonly held beliefs or policies the fact remains that head lice are a part of growing up and it’s a condition that poses no harm to children. It seems that it’s more harmful to use harsh removal measures or to lose money staying home with a child who has head lice.

Back during 2002, a clinical report was produced by the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP). The report centered on the way head lice is handled in school. It concluded by suggesting that it’s time to end the “No Nits” policy that is so popular among schools because in the scope of things, head lice does not pose a significant threat to the health and welfare of children. Something that did not make parents comfortable was the report’s recommendations for using treatment methods containing pesticides. Fortunately, a section of the report was devoted to other types of treatments including manual removal.

Soon thereafter the National Pediculosis Association (NPA) launched an attack on the recommendations made in the report. The attack focused on use of pesticide-based treatments, the suggestion that the “No Nits” policy be ended and ending the policy of inspecting children for lice during school. Of course, the conflicting reports only confused parents.

It is our opinion that the NPA overreacted as the AAP report was rational and fair in it’s opinion that it’s time to stop the hysteria surrounding head lice, especially when considering that head lice are harmless. That part was worded well. All parents had left to do was abandon once and for all the use of harsh poisons for treatment and instead look for safer treatments. In combination, this would have been beneficial to all.

By continuing to support a ban on head lice, the NPA in effect drives parents towards using pesticides because the view is that head lice aren’t harmless. Was that the goal? We believe parents should take time to read both articles and then make their own opinions. The articles can be found under the “Press” section of both the NPA and the AAP web sites. Enjoy!

Parents believe strongly and perhaps irrationally that their children’s exposure to head lice should be of utmost importance. But does this make sense when we don’t react the same way by excluding those with warts, noses that run, or other “normal” problems of childhood? Just as we teach our children to tolerate those who are different and those who have disabilities, we should also teach them to tolerate head lice. The school should not be the place where intolerance and irrational beliefs are allowed to guide policy. Otherwise, we’re in for trouble. And really, head lice present no harm.

There is another point worth making. There was a time when smallpox killed and together the world acted to eradicate smallpox. But head lice are in a different category. No one has yet to prove that head lice transmit diseases and so far, this has not been the case in western schools. No one should expect that the world collectively will work to put an end to head lice as happened with smallpox. Therefore, there’s no need to protest head lice or to start campaigning against it. It’s better to learn to deal with head lice by brushing them off when they arrive because life will go on!

Why does my child still scratch?

If you’ve ever had a bee sting or a bug bite, you know your body initiates a reaction that warns and at the same time starts to heal. Itchiness, swelling and redness all are involved in the reaction.

It may take many head lice bites for us to begin to feel the itchiness, and some people never experience any itchiness. Even after you have successfully eliminated head lice, some of the bites are still in the healing process. That’s why some people keep itching long after head lice are gone. Something else that may cause prolonged itchiness is when your scratching causes another skin irritation or perhaps an infection. If this is happening, medicated shampoo can help the tiny wounds heal faster. If the itching lasts for a prolonged period, antihistamine sprays, creams or tablets may be needed so talk with your Pharmacist. Antihistamines help by sending signals to the body telling it that it’s time to turn off those warning signals.

How can I recognize head lice eggs?

If you see small, bud-like attachments on strands of hair but not the scalp, you’re looking at head lice eggs. The attachments can be white, cream or grey in color. The body heat that escapes via the head creates a warm environment which head lice prefer. In warmer, more humid climates however, eggs generally are laid a bit further away from a child’s scalp. Eggs that are far away from the scalp usually are dead, old, empty or cold.

Live eggs, dead eggs and empty eggs vary slightly in appearance but to the naked eye, such differences are not readily noticeable.

You can however, distinguish the eggs of head lice from other types of debris you find on the head. Most notably, dandruff, cradle cap, and dandruff will all slide along shafts of hair whereas eggs will not budge from their position.

How long will a head louse remain alive?

A head louse lives on average of up to 40-days after it hatches from the egg. Eggs take around 7-days to mature and then hatch. Newly hatched head lice are fully mature in just 7-10 days. Therefore, most are active in your hair for about 31-days.

Will every louse lay eggs?

No because some of the lice are male and some female lice will be unfertilized meaning they won’t lay any eggs. When parents find large adult lice, they always think they’re in for a battle. But when nothing further happens, they realize that what they found was a male louse or a female louse that’s unfertilized.

Large-sized adult lice don’t just appear by magic. Therefore if such a louse is suddenly discovered, there’s a good chance you or your child were in close proximity to an infected head and the louse just recently grabbed onto a strand of your hair. A full-blown infestation will consist of both small and large head lice. When tiny lice are present they are too small and too weak to travel. Therefore, it’s likely that it recently hatched on the head on which it was discovered.

Which type of louse comb is best to use?

Any very fine metal comb will be effective at catching and detaching lice of all sizes and their eggs. The problem with such fine combs is that it sometimes will be difficult to use them effortlessly. They’ll instead tug, pull or snag hair.

To remedy this situation, a very fine louse comb should be lubricated. That way, the hair can slide through the teeth more easily.

You can make your comb work better and harder if you turn it at an angle while pulling through hair. That way hair strands can bend and zigzag as they move through the comb’s teeth. The combination of angling the comb and lubricating the hair will help create sharp turns. This makes it even easier to catch all the egg cases and it also helps force them off of the strands of hair.

Are African Americans susceptible to lice infestations?

African Americans are reported to have a much lower incidence of head lice than Caucasians, Hispanics or Asian Americans.  Pediatric Dermatology cites various studies that suggest the incidence among African American schoolchildren is less than half of one percent, while the incidence among their non-black schoolmates is usually more than 10 percent.

Even though African Americans may be less susceptible to infestations, this should not be grounds for complacency. African Americans can, and do, get head lice.

No nit policy

My school has a no nit policy, but they ignore notifying parents about cases of head lice. Now All five of my kids have them, and one child’s class only has five students left! Yet the school has not sent home any notices. Isn’t that like a double standard?

So how do head lice move around?

Head lice CRAWL very fast and require head to head contact for transmission. It is possible that because of the way young children play, head lice are seen more widely amongst primary school children than adolescents or adults.

Is it true that head lice only like clean hair?

No. Head lice are not selective. They don't care if hair is long, short, blonde, brown, washed this morning or last week. As long as they are warm, and have blood to drink, then they are content.

Should I treat everyone in the family?

It is important to check each family member, using conditioner and comb, for head lice but only treat those with lice.

Why does my child keep getting re-infected?

If you have not taken all the eggs and lice out of the hair, then you will have a constant run of head lice. A treatment at No More Nitz will ensure that all lice and eggs are removed.

Other reasons for re-infection is someone close by has head lice as well or there could be lice on the bed linen or in other places in the immediate living environment.

Why is head lice such a big problem today?

There are a number of reasons for the increased prevalence of head lice today. It used to be that head lice were found primarily in lower socioeconomic families, but upper and middle class families today are dealing with head lice. Some of the contributing factors may be:

• Increased activities with other children (sports, music, dance, gymnastic) where kids come together. These activities, even though they may be worthwhile, may increase contact with infested kids.
• The increased numbers of children in nursery school, daycare centers and after school care. Again, there may be increased contact with infested kids.
• Products may not be as effective as they used to be.
• Parents who are so busy that they don't check their children for lice or treat them appropriately. It should be a routine part of grooming children.
• Head lice are obligate parasites which means that they must have human blood to survive. They do not survive very well away from their host because they lose their food and moisture source. Lice tend to dehydrate fairly easily, especially when humidity is low and temperatures are high.

Why do I have more lice problems with my daughter who has the longest hair? I have two other daughters and one son.

Loose long hair is more likely come into contact with lice. It is also more difficult to inspect, treat and comb a person who has long hair so managing a lice infestation is more difficult. Hanging hair is a liability. Putting your child's hair up in a ponytail or bun will be helpful or work with your daughter to choose a new, shorter hair style.

I am having a hard time knowing what nits look like. And, how would I know if nits are alive, dead or hatched?

Nits are laid on the hair and glued to one side of the hair shaft. They are usually laid on single strands of hair, close to the scalp, but not on it. Nits are not round, but oval. They are light-colored when first laid (yellowish or gray), but darken to a tan or coffee color as the embryo develops. Once the egg hatches, the spent shell remains attached to the hair shaft, but it is white. As the hair grows, the nit grows with it and is farther from the scalp.

Who is most likely to get head lice?

Head lice have been found on people of all socio-economic levels. Children, particularly those of elementary school age, are most likely to get head lice because of their close contact and social interactions with each other (e.g., sharing hats, combs and brushes).

How can you tell if someone has head lice?

Lice cause intense itching of the scalp. Parents and teachers should watch for children who scratch their heads constantly or excessively. In such cases, check the scalp for nits or lice. If you're not sure what to look for, ask for help from someone who can positively identify the eggs or the insects.

How can I check myself or my child for head lice?

They should seek help from a professional service provider, such as No More Nitz, who specialize in Head Lice.

Will soap and water kill lice?

No

Do vinegar rinses help remove lice eggs?

No, vinegar will not dissolve the cement-like substance that the female louse uses to attach her eggs to the hair shaft. A nit comb is the only real reliable method for removing the eggs. Although trimming the hair is not necessary, it does makes it easier to remove all of the nits.