How do I know for sure my child has head lice?

Many symptoms can be mistakenly diagnosed as head lice. Dandruff, flacks of hairspray, very small pieces of dirt or debris and even small insects that have been blown into the hair on a windy day have all sent panicked parents for treatment. The only foolproof diagnosis for pediculosis (a head lice infestation) is:

• To catch sight of the elusive lice roaming around on the scalp (the size of a seasame seed)

• Tiny lice eggs (called “nits”) on the hair shafts, close to the scalp, that cannot be brushed off

• The presence of tiny light brown nymphs (smaller than the size of a sesame seed)

• Persistent scratching of the scalp

• Pink rash behind the ears and at the nape of the neck that resemble an allergic reaction

Liceinators will send a technician out to check for sure. There is a minimal charge of $25/head for this service. If it is determined that you do have lice then the $25 charge is deducted from the final bill if you choose to have Liceinators treat.

Are head lice dangerous?

According to the Harvard School of Public Health, the greatest harm to children or adults associated with head lice “results from the well-intentioned but misguided use of caustic or toxic substances to eliminate the lice.” Permethrin insecticide is manufactured under different brand names, including Elimite, Nix, and Stop Lice. Lice in all 48 states tested have shown resistance to these caustic substances leading to added expense in eradicating them. They have not been shown to carry any diseases, but secondary infection is certainly possible when itching causes the scalp to be scratched to the point where bacteria can be introduced to the damaged skin.

Why can't I use an OTC or prescription lice treatment? Aren't they safe?

Many OTC and prescripton lice treatments contain kerosene derivatives, pesticides and/or petroleum. It's not safe to expose your children or yourself to these toxic chemicals. Repeated use of products with these chemicals can lead to ongoing outbreaks, not to mention the toxic build up in you or your childs system AND the resistance to these pesticides leading to "superbugs" or "super lice". Super Lice have been detected in all 48 states tested, including Wisconsin. It is a misconception, created by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) who regulates pediculicides pesticides (lice-killing pesticides), that they are safe. These pesticides – found in products like roach spray and weed killer – are overused on children with lice. Here’s what you should know about the chemicals in most over-the counter and prescription head lice treatment products. Lindane (Kwell) This toxic chemical has been globally banned for use in agriculture, but it is still the working ingredient in more than 2 million prescriptions for head lice and scabies. New York followed California in banning the chemical compound and it’s forbidden in 52 countries. Lindane can have a number of health impacts, including neurological effects, cancer, blood disorders, endocrine disruption, liver toxicity, reproductive effects and immunological effects. Despite evidence of its health dangers, parts of the U.S. still allow prescriptions containing Lindane in pharmaceutical compounds. Malathion (Maldison) Malathion is a highly toxic derivative of nerve gas which works by disrupting the chemical reactions in lice along with the human nervous systems. Extremely toxic orally, Malathion is a possible carcinogen, mutagen (mutates DNA) and endocrine disrupter. In its raw state, malathion is readily absorbed into the skin. Solvents Head lice pesticide preparations contain both “inert” and “active” ingredients. Active ingredients are the chemicals that kill the lice. Inert ingredients are the carriers for these chemicals found in lice treatment products.. But, “inert” is not equal “harmless.” Exposure to these toxic solvents can be worse than the actual chemicals themselves.

How did my child get lice?

It is usually impossible to determine the identity of the donor. It's better to resist the urge to assign blame, as it is unproductive, and spreads stigma rather than knowledge. The best thing to do is screen and treat your family members, and inform other parents (see the "Lice Alert Letter" and school administrators or anyone else that may need to know of this exsisting situation so others have the opportunitity to take quick action.

Should I tell others?

Parents of your child’s friends will appreciate the info so that they can screen their children. Also, consider informing the school nurse or camp counselors, so they can screen the rest of the class/group and get the word to other parents discreetly and compassionately. Check out the "Lice Alert Letter". Remember there's No Shame or Blame, just Kindness!

What is the best treatment for head lice?

Firstly, a treatment that is FREE from harmful toxins. See below for your best Liceinators options. All treatments are done in the privacy of your home by a trained technician who will arrive in a vehicle without any lIce indicating advertisements. # 1-Exclusive "ONE & DONE!" LICE TREATMENT • Affordably priced
• Average visit 30 minutes
• Kills lice and eggs/nits This #1-Exclusive "One and Done!" Lice Treatment Service is a fast, non-toxic, safe, reliable all-natural propitiatory mineral formula. The high pH alkalinity of this product immediately dehydrates lice including their eggs – but is also safe for humans and the environment. It is not a drug, natural health product, nor a chemical. It is a naturally occurring food grade mineral that is used in multiple applications...food preservation, cleaning, water purification and as an insect solution. This mineral formula is FDA compliant allowing for the material to be classified as GRAS ( Generally Recognized As Safe under sections 201(s) and 409 of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (the Act) safe for human use). Classification of this compound for safe use brought it to the level of food grade safe, which is over and above the standard required for the use in this industry. # 2-Classic "OIL" LICE TREATMENT SERVICE • $150/first hour then $75 per hour*
• Average female visit to 1.5-2 hours per person depending on level of infestation and length of hair, males about 45 minutes.
• REQUIRES 5-8 days of aftercare either by family member or Liceinators technician.
• Requires addition product after treatment-olive oil and Terminator Lice comb. Studies have shown that it takes more than 8 hours to suffocate the lice with a substance such as olive oil. The effectiveness of olive oil is explained by the fact that in coating the skin of adult lice, it deprives them of oxygen.
There is a strict protocol that needs to be followed after the initial treatment. It is a 3 week commitment but can be done by a family member or a Liceinators technician can come back out for the followup reduction combing. All services are GUARANTEED for 30 days! *Round trip mileage from Sun Prairie, WI, WILL be ADDED to total service charges. Mileage is figured at the 2019 standard IRS rate of .58 cents/mile.

The OTC lice treatment didn't get rid of them it or it's back. Why?

Firstly, most OTC lice treatments are not effective in elimating lice due to their DNA change to "Super Lice" in Wisconsin and all 48 states tested in this 2016 report. Another thought is the incomplete removal of all lice, nits and nymphs OR the re-exposure to an infested person. The hair must be meticulously combed with a high-quality professional nit comb (Terminator Lice comb) and on several different days to remove ALL nits, hatched nymphs and adult lice. If the nits or nymphs mature and mate the cycle repeats. Complete elimanation of nits and nymphs is key. See the Life Cycle picture for details.

Should I be concerned about lice living in bedding, on furniture, brushes and hats?

The good news...It is NOT possible for your house to be infested with head lice. Head lice cannot survive for very long away from a human host, so they will not successfully breed in your home. Head lice may have made the mistake of leaving an infected person’s head but they will only live for about 24-36 hours according to scientific journals before they die. Nits attached to hairs that fall out will not hatch off the head because they need the heat and humidity of the scalp to incubate them. This is important to remember, and is the key to easing anxiety about head lice living or breeding in your home. So, don't overreact! No need to bomb the house with pesticides (expensive, unhealthy, and unnecessary!). For peace of mind here's what you can do... Brushes - clean all the hair from them, place in a plastic bag and then into the freezer overnight. Extremes in temperature (hot or cold) will kill any lice or nits. Hats, bicycle helmets and stuffed animals from the bed - place items in a dryer on high for more then 15 minutes or place items in a plastic bag and set aside for 3-4 days. Bedding - it is best to wash linens since it is possible for lice to live 24-36 hours off the head. Wash in hot water then dry for at least 15 minutes on high heat. Change the pillow case or towel draped over the pillow daily if you are using the oil treatment. Furniture - vacumn or use a sticky lint roller. Cars - roll the windows up and let the car sit in the heat or cold over night.

Can I treat myself?

If you have the patience, correct tools (professional grade Terminator Nit Comb), and are not grossed out by the little critters, then for sure, try it yourself but it is best to use a product that is non-toxic and safe like #1-Exclusive "One & Done!" product. Meticulous combing to remove every nit, nymph and all lice is the key to effective head lice removal, as well as conscientious follow-up. If you choose to go the chemical route, read the instructions carefully, as they may pose a health risk in some individuals, especially children with asthma. Many of these products involve multiple treatments, yet still require thorough combings, and they tend to include cheap plastic combs, which research has found to be very ineffective. If the YUCK factor is too great, or you’ve tried unsuccessfully to treat your family with over-the-counter or prescription medications, it’s probably time to call in the Lice Terminating Superheroes at Liceinators. We will help you break the cycle safely and with minimal disruption to your family and your schedule.

Will my health insurance cover the cost of head lice treatment?

Currently, a few health insurance policies cover head lice removal treatment processes. Some plans provide reimbursement through your health savings accounts (HSA) or flexible spending accounts (FSA); many WILL reimburse you after you pay for the services and submit the itemized receipt we can prepare for you. In most cases your HSA card can be run through our credit card service. Please check with your employer or health plan administrator for more details. In addition, lice removal services may be deductible on your personal income tax return. Please talk to your tax advisor for further guidance.

How long do I have to worry about reinfestation and how can I prevent it?

It is best to always be vigulant for the pesky critters since they can easily attach to the hair of any inoccent bystander. Do weekly screenings using your Terminator Nit Comb, pull back long hair into a ponytail or braid, hair spray flyaway hair, and teach your children to avoid head-to-head contact (selfies and hugs where the heads touch), use common sense and stay away from sharing personal items (hat, swim caps, bicycle helmet, baseball helmets, clothing itmes, etc.), use the Liceinators Shampoo and Conditioner every 4-5 days. Do not instruct children to avoid appropriate contact with an infested child, as this will spread stigma and cause unnecessary stress. Remember, children will follow your lead...keep a cool head and be informed!

Can the family pets get our head lice?

No, animals do NOT harbor or spread human head lice. No need to treatment them : )

Will I know if I or my child has lice?

Not always because lice and lice eggs (nits) are very difficult to seef. They are very small and blend extremely well into hair. Also, those infected with head lice will not always show signs of itching or scratching. The best way to know is by running a professional lice comb through the hair, in different areas of the head, to see if any nits are pulled away from the hair shaft. It is not easy to see a nit with a dry check especially early in the infestation process. The rule of thumb is if one person in the family has been diagnosed with lice/nits then the enitre family will need to be checked and treated.

Can I stop these "Super Bugs" using Liceinators chemical free treatments?

“Super lice” look just like regular lice. They're a parasitic insects that feeds on your blood and can be found in the eyelashes, eyebrows, and on the scalp. The only difference is that “super lice” have evolved and mutated to become resistant to the ingredients in traditional over the counter (OTC) treatments used to kill them. A study found in the Journal of Medical Entomology conducted in March of 2016 found that lice in the 48 states tested had shown resistance to common treatments. Not only are head lice a frustrating and stressful common human condition, but failing treatments have left many families wondering what to do next. The good news...there are several solutions to choose from and there is a cure for super lice that does not rely on chemicals or pesticides! The good news means we do not need to put pesticides and chemicals on our children and into our environment to treat head lice. Here are some "back to nature" solutions that work and have proven safe and successful. 1. MINERALS Minerals are making a name for themselves in the head lice industry. They are the go-to solution for many head lice removal companies including Liceinators. They are also being embraced by pharmacies, health food stores, and health care agencies. They are non-toxic, chemical free and have no adverse side effects. The mineral literally sucks the moisture out of head lice and eggs. They can be used on all ages of children and have a great success rate. When you combine mineral products with systematically interrupting the life cycle via reduction combing you have the safest, fastest and most effective way to deal with head lice. It provides the best outcome and is safe for all people and the planet. Unlike most chemical or pesticide based options, these options are earth friendly. 2. OIL SOAKS: SMOTHER HEAD LICE Head lice have spiracles on the sides of their body which are their breathing apparatuses. When you clog them with oil they suffocate. Head lice can close their breathing apparatuses for up to 8 hours or longer making this approach more time consuming. It works, but you must leave oil on for a minimum of 8 hours or longer for it to be effective. While it kills lice, the eggs will still be unharmed and you'll need to remove them ALL. To be completely effective you must follow a 3-week protocol to break the lice life cycle. Coconut and olive oil are best. 3. ESSENTIAL OILS There are some essential oils that repel head lice and you will find hundreds of recipes online. I would caution people who may be asthmatic, or have other health concerns to check into any contraindications of that particular essential oil before applying. Many essential oils are not to be used on children under the age of two or pregnant/nursing mothers. I am not aware of any essential oils that actually kill head lice but there are many that repel. Some companies make claims and use essential oils in their products but there are no facts or research to prove they kill head lice. 4. REDUCTION COMBING Head lice will never be resistant to a good old fashioned professional lice comb.These are combs with the proper tolerances between the tines in order to be able to reduction comb all of the lice eggs out of the hair. Combs with microgrooves ont the tines are best. Be sure to get a quality comb, which can be purchased from a Liceinators techician, and not some lousy plastic or poorly made knock off. You will NOT have any success with them. A quality comb may cost more but it is worth the investment. The high-quality professional head lice comb from Liceinators will be durable enough to get through any hair type and will last you a lifetime.You never know when you may be reinfested so having a quality lice comb in your medicine cabinet is a must for any parent or guardian 5. PREVENTION The best way to prevent head lice is to avoid head to head and hair to item contact. Do a comb through with the Terminator Lice comb once a week, because checking the head, can avoid the spread. Head Lice Contraction Risks Selfies Sharing hats, helments, swim caps Sharing hair brushes, combs, hair ties Sharing pillows and headrests Sharing clothing, play dress-up Fly-away long hair When you know lice are about, (first weeks of school, at camp, sleepovers and when you get a lice letter home from school, camp or daycare) use a blend of essential oils mixed up into a spray (lots of recipes can be found on the internet). This will scent the hair and help deter head lice. HOW TO CURE SUPER LICE Understand the Lifecycle of Head Louse A female louse can live for 30 days and will lay 4-10 eggs per day over her life span. Lice eggs (nits) take seven to ten days to hatch then go through three nymph stages the next 10-12 days until they are mature enough to mate starting the life cycle all over again. Interupt the Lifecycle Interrupting this lifecycle is easy. Simply apply Liceinators Shampoo and Conditioner every 4-5 days combined with regular reduction combing every 7 days. That's it, the cure for super lice!

How does your 30-Day Satisfation Guarantee work?

We are very confident we can successfully treat any case of head lice. So much so that we offer a 30-day satisfaticn guarantee for anyone treated by Liceinators LLC as long as the following parameters are met: 1. Every person living with the treated individual is checked by Liceinators at a cost of $25/person. If additional cases are identified, Liceinaotrs must treat the infested individual(s) and the $25 head check fee will be deducted from the final bill. 2. The preventative guidelines are followed on an ongoing basis.These guidelines are as followed:

• The preventative lice shampoo and contictioner must be used every 4 days by each member of the family even if they were not initially infested,
• Head to head contact with anyone is strictly prohibitied,
• No sharing of personal items (hats, clothing, brushes, etc.),
• Weekly, thorough combing using the professional terminator comb are done on all persons in the home of the treated person/s. Do this after you have shampooed then conditioned the hair for easy combing.

Are head lice found in other hairy areas of my body?

Short answer is NO. There are two different species of lice that can live on other areas of the body - body lice and pubic lice (crabs). It is important to note that these are completely different from head lice and are very uncommon. Head lice are the most common, followed by pubic lice and body lice. Head lice have evolved to only survive on a person’s head, while body and pubic lice are only found in body hair.