WRITTEN BY
Taryn Kukle, The Lice People

The incidence of head lice in schools, camps, and day care facilities has become an issue of great concern. Head lice is very common among school children.  Contrary to popular belief, lice are not a sign of dirtiness.  In fact, the the opposite is true: lice prefer a clean environment and incidence is on the rise.

Lice are small insects that feed on blood from the scalp several times a day, and their eggs are called “nits.�  They spread very quickly among school-agers because children are frequently in close proximity to one another.  Lice do not jump or fly, but can move quickly along hair strands and make their way to a neighbouring scalp.  Education is key to containing the outbreaks. 

For many parents going through a lice infestation for the first time, this can be overwhelming.  It is not always easy to recognise what a louse looks like, and it is even more difficult to identify a nit, which can easily be confused with dandruff.  Parents may not have the time necessary to dedicate to treatment and are unable to miss work hours to treat their children.  Children are often not allowed in school until the infestation is cleared putting them at a disadvantage with their schoolwork. 

Traditional methods of eradicating head lice include over-the-counter products, olive oil, vinegar, mayonnaise, kerosene, Cetaphil and Vaseline.  Many of these products which are available at local pharmacies contain harmful pesticides.  Since the use of these lice treatments has been ongoing over the years, the lice have become resistant to them, leaving live bugs and unhatched nits in the hair.  Using food products to eliminate lice can cause both salmonella as well as discomfort to open sores on a child’s head from scratching.  Unfortunately there is no magic potion or device.  All lice and their eggs must be manually removed from the head in order to prevent reinfestation. 

The Lice People, implement the most effective and innovative new treatments available, namely the Shepherd Method.  The new strategy is dedicated to family convenience and comfort for the child.  The salon environment provided is geared towards children, making the experience a calming, yet fun one.  This concept is the first of its kind, and is a convenient and easy alternative to traditional methods.  Every employee is expertly trained to examine each strand of hair and recognise lice and nits.  There is no other method as thorough and effective, and this service is offered in a friendly, family atmosphere.

At the salon children are made to feel comfortable, and may watch a movie while going through treatment, so they are entertained.  The salon is well-lit, and all staff are expertly trained, providing you with peace of mind knowing the treatment will be effective.  During the first visit, trained experts will comb through the hair to remove much of the infestation.  A strand-by-strand examination of the hair will be performed to ensure complete eradication.  This is followed by a check done by a second technician.  There are also two follow up sessions included to make sure the treatment has been 100% effective.  Children will be provided with a letter of clearance so they may return to school immediately.

The Lice People are also available for home visits if you find it difficult to reach the salon.  They are even available for trips to schools and camps to do professional, thorough head checks.  Tips are also available on how you can make sure you home is louse-free.  There is a plethora of information and support available through The Lice People.  These, and other valuable resources are available online at http://www.thelicepeople.com.

About The owner of The Lice People:

Taryn Kukle, founder of The Lice People, struggled with an infestation of lice in her home.  She had tried many methods including taking a “lice vacation� from her home for three days. She spent unnecessary money and time on over-the-counter remedies based on misconceptions and myths. Taryn educated herself on lice and their life cycle and found that the non-toxic, thorough process of strand-by-strand removal of lice and nits is the most effective strategy.  She knows firsthand the stress that comes with a head lice infestation, and has made it her goal to share her knowledge with as many parents and children as possible.

(c) The Lice People 2012

 

Tags: camps, children, day care, eggs, head lice, lice treatments, nits, removal, schools, students, The Lice People, Toronto, vaughan, york region