FAQs
Do I need to clean my home?
Lice cannot survive long away from the human scalp. They’re parasites that need a human host to live. Since they die within 24-48 hours off a scalp, you may not need extensive home cleaning.
Are my pets at risk?
Head lice only feed on humans, so they can’t spread to your pets or come from them. Your pets are safe from lice.
Can lice move to other parts of my body?
Lice feed on blood near the scalp and have legs specialized for gripping hair follicles. This keeps them on the scalp—they don’t travel to other body parts.
What's the purpose of three follow-up treatments after your clinic visit?
Follow-up treatments are an essential safety step in your aftercare plan. If any nits were missed during your professional visit and hatch afterward, these treatments provide support in managing emerging lice. Since lice can survive outside the scalp for up to 48 hours, follow-up treatments also help prevent reinfestation from items in your home during the first few days after treatment.
Do head lice cause disease or health problems?
Head lice don’t spread disease and are considered more of a nuisance than a health threat.
How to Identify Nits on Your Hair
Nits (lice eggs) are tiny, oval-shaped objects attached to hair shafts near the scalp using a natural adhesive. They appear tan, brown, or black in color depending on their maturity and your hair color. Because they’re firmly glued to the hair, they require careful removal.
How to Prevent Head Lice
Wearing your hair up or tied back reduces direct hair-to-hair contact, which is how lice most often spread. Preventive sprays or products with mint scent may help deter lice since they dislike the scent. Regular family head checks can help catch lice early.
How many days does it take for nits to hatch?
Nits take about 7 to 10 days to hatch. They need the warm, moist scalp environment to develop. If removed or separated from the hair, they won’t survive.
How do children get lice?
Most lice spread through direct head-to-head contact with someone who has lice. Sometimes they can be picked up from shared items like hats, helmets, towels, brushes, or combs belonging to an infested person.
What signs indicate a head lice infection?
Many people who are bitten by lice develop an allergic reaction, causing an itchy scalp. Sleep disruption is common since lice are active primarily at night. Some people also report a crawling or tickling sensation on the scalp, which can be an important early warning sign of infestation.
Do head lice jump or fly?
Head lice cannot jump or fly—they can only spread by crawling from one person to another. This is why direct head-to-head contact is the most common transmission method. Understanding how lice spread helps you and your family take appropriate prevention steps within your home, school, and community settings.
Should I spray furniture with chemicals after treatment?
Many furniture sprays available contain chemicals that can be hazardous if inhaled or absorbed, especially around children and pets. They’re not necessary, however, because lice cannot survive more than 48 hours away from the human scalp. Instead of spending time and money on furniture sprays, focus your efforts on completing your scalp treatment and following your complete aftercare plan at home for the right results.
What should I do with stuffed animals and pillows?
You don’t need to throw stuffed animals or pillows away. Since lice can survive only a couple of days on fabric items when separated from the scalp, you have two simple options: place items in the dryer on high heat for 30 minutes, or seal them tightly in a plastic bag for 2 days. Either method effectively handles any lice or nits that might be present on those items. This practical, economical approach lets you keep your belongings while ensuring they’re safe for your family.
Where do head lice originate?
Head lice are not a modern problem—the type that infests humans has been present throughout human history. They’ve been documented across cultures and time periods, which is why you’ll find references to lice in ancient texts and historical records. This is a natural part of human biology, not a sign of poor hygiene.
What's different about professional lice combs?
We use a specialized comb designed specifically for lice removal, with teeth spaced much closer together than regular combs. This close spacing makes it significantly more effective at capturing and combing out both live lice and nits from each hair shaft. It’s an essential tool in our professional treatment approach and helpful for ongoing home care, follow-up combing, and prevention monitoring.
Are OTC lice products effective?
Over-the-counter lice treatments are widely available options, but many families find that professional lice removal delivers more reliable results. Our approach differs from commercial products: we focus on careful mechanical removal through specialized combing combined with supportive products that function without chemical pesticides. This method is practical, safe for your entire family, and includes professional guidance on follow-up care and prevention strategies. Professional treatment helps ensure that lice are fully addressed and don’t return to your family.
How many eggs can one adult louse produce?
A female louse can lay about 10 eggs per day, totaling around 200 eggs over her lifetime. If those nits aren’t removed during professional treatment or through careful home combing afterward, each one will hatch into a nymph (immature louse) and eventually develop into an adult louse capable of laying eggs of its own. This rapid life cycle is why thorough removal during treatment and careful, consistent follow-up care are so important to prevent reinfestation.
What's the timeline for nymphs to become adults?
The development from nymph to adult louse takes about 7 to 10 days. Because this growth cycle is fairly quick, any nits that escape removal during initial treatment can hatch and mature rapidly. This is why our follow-up care plan and regular monitoring are key parts of managing a lice infestation effectively.