Head Lice FAQ – Lice Listers Lice Treatment Centers
1. How do I check my child for head lice?
Head lice checks must be done slowly and methodically. Elyse Kolender, founder of Lice Sisters, teaches parents to part the hair in quarter-inch sections and examine close to the scalp where lice lay their eggs. Lift the hair and inspect along the hair shaft. Move in clean horizontal or vertical lines across the entire head under strong lighting. If a particle brushes off easily, it is likely dandruff. Lice eggs, also called nits, are firmly attached to the hair shaft and do not slide off easily.
6. Is combing really necessary after applying treatment?
Yes. Combing is a non-negotiable step in effective lice treatment. Even after lice are neutralized, eggs remain attached to the hair. Lice Sisters instructs parents to use the Lice Sisters professional-grade metal lice brush to comb out lice, working in small, controlled sections. Consistent combing until clean passes are achieved is essential.
2. What are the main symptoms of head lice?
There are three common symptoms:
- Itching or scratching of the scalp
- Redness along the nape of the neck
- Swollen glands
However, about one in five children do not show symptoms. Children without symptoms may still have significant infestations.
7. How do you treat lice in short hair?
To treat short hair, start with clean, dry, detangled hair. Work in quarter-inch horizontal sections, spraying along each part. After saturating the scalp and hair, comb thoroughly in multiple directions until you see clean swipes. Shampoo thoroughly afterward, scrubbing the scalp well.
3. Can doctors miss head lice during a check?
Yes. Lice is small and difficult to detect without a detailed scalp inspection. A proper lice check requires careful parting in small sections and close visual examination near the scalp. Many medical visits do not allow enough time for this level of screening. Lice specialists perform these checks daily and are trained to identify subtle evidence of infestation.
8. How do you treat lice in long hair?
To treat long hair, begin with clean, dry, tangle-free hair. Create vertical quarter-inch parts and spray along each section, working across the scalp methodically. Fully saturate the hair to the ends. Comb underneath and over each section from the scalp to the ends, wiping the comb between swipes. Continue until clean passes are achieved.
4. Why are OTC drugstore lice treatment products so ineffective?
Over time, head lice have adapted to survive many of the chemical ingredients found in common drugstore treatments, leading to what are often called “super lice.” Effective treatment must address both live lice and their eggs, known as nits, which are firmly attached to the hair shaft and must be physically removed to prevent reinfestation.
9. How do I clean my house after a lice outbreak?
There are three ways to sanitize items after a lice infestation:
- High heat in the dryer for at least 45 minutes
- Freezing items in a sealed bag for 12 hours
- Sealing items in garbage bags for one week
Elyse also recommends focusing on the “three Cs”: the couch, the car, and comforters to effectively clean your house after lice. Avoid the couch for five days, vacuum and wipe car seats, and bag comforters before washing.
5. What makes the Lice Sisters Nit Glue Dissolver different?
The Lice Sisters Nit Glue Dissolver is a patented formula developed by experts as a non-toxic, two-in-one approach. It is designed to kill live lice quickly and dissolve the adhesive that lice use to attach eggs to the hair shaft. When paired with the Lice Sisters stainless steel metal nit comb, this allows eggs and nits to release more easily during removal.
10. Should I notify others if my child has lice?
Medical Reference:
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), head lice spread primarily through direct head-to-head contact and cannot jump or fly. Lice typically survive less than one to two days away from the human scalp and are not known to transmit disease.
Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
About Head Lice
https://www.cdc.gov/parasites/lice/head/index.html
About Elyse Kolender, Founder of Lice Sisters
Elyse Kolender is the founder of Lice Sisters and the creator of the patented Lice Sisters Nit Glue Dissolver. For over 20 years, Elyse has worked directly with families to detect and remove lice using structured sectioning, disciplined combing methods, and non-toxic treatment protocols. Her instructional videos teach parents how to identify eggs accurately, treat different hair types properly, and prevent reinfestation.