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Why Fall is Peak Lice Season (and How to Stay Ahead of It)

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Fall brings crisp air, new routines, and — unfortunately — a surge in lice cases. After a summer of camps, playdates, and travel, kids return to classrooms where close contact is unavoidable. Add in sports practices, after-school activities, and weekend sleepovers, and it’s easy to see why lice spread so quickly this time of year. The good news is that knowing why fall is prime lice season (and what to do about it) can help you stay ahead.

Why Fall Means More Lice

Head lice don’t care about the weather, but they do thrive on opportunity. Fall creates more of those opportunities than any other season. Here’s why:

  • Classrooms are packed. Kids spend hours sitting shoulder-to-shoulder every day.
  • Sports are in full swing. Shared helmets, post-game huddles, and celebratory selfies give lice the perfect chance to spread.
  • Sleepovers and after-school fun. Weekend gatherings, movie nights, and playdates often mean kids pile onto couches or beds together.

Put simply: fall activities put kids in closer contact than they’ve been all summer, which is all lice need to travel from one head to another.

Spotting the First Signs

Catching lice early is the easiest way to stop them from spreading. But because lice are tiny and fast, parents often miss the early stages. Here are some things to look for:

  • Frequent scratching: An itchy scalp is the most common early symptom.
  • Tiny white or yellowish nits: These eggs stick close to the scalp and don’t flake away like dandruff.
  • Redness or irritation: Scratching can cause small sores at the nape of the neck or behind the ears.

If you’re unsure, schedule a professional head check. A trained eye can spot lice and nits much faster than a parent trying to inspect in bathroom lighting. A quick check saves time, money, and stress — and gives you peace of mind. Plus, the sooner lice are detected, the easier they are to treat.

Staying Ahead This Season

Prevention doesn’t have to be complicated. Simple, consistent habits make the biggest difference:

  • Do weekly head checks: Look behind the ears and at the base of the neck.
  • Tie back long hair: Braids, ponytails, or buns reduce contact points.
  • Avoid head-to-head contact: 99% of lice spread from heads touching. Encourage kids to keep their heads away from others’ (selfies, sleepovers, etc)
  • Talk openly about lice: Reducing stigma makes families more likely to notify others quickly, which helps stop outbreaks.

Even with prevention, lice can still sneak in. That’s why having a plan in place matters. If lice show up, skip the DIY treatments and seek professional treatment using proven, non-toxic methods that get rid of lice and nits in one visit — something over-the-counter kits can’t guarantee.

Why Professional Treatment Saves Stress in Fall

Over-the-counter products may promise quick fixes, but they often leave behind nits. That’s why families sometimes find themselves treating again and again. Fall is already a busy season with school, sports, and holidays, and you don’t need lice dragging it out even longer.

Professional lice removal is different. Clinics focus on strand-by-strand combing, removing both bugs and eggs so the cycle can’t restart. Follow-up checks make sure the job is done, so families can get back to enjoying the season without the constant worry of reinfestation.

Lice Don’t Have to Ruin Your Fall

Yes, fall is peak lice season, but it doesn’t have to turn into a season of stress. With a little prevention, quick detection, and professional help when needed, lice can be just another small bump in the back-to-school routine.

If you suspect lice, don’t wait it out. A quick head check or one professional treatment can make all the difference.

What NOT to Do When You Discover Lice

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Discovering lice can send even the calmest parent into a mayonnaise-fueled spiral — but take a deep breath. Lice aren’t dangerous, and they’re very common. How you respond in those first few moments can set the tone for how quickly and easily the problem gets solved, and for how your child remembers their bout with lice. While there’s no shame in finding lice, there are a few missteps that can make the situation worse. Let’s walk through what not to do — and what to do instead.

Don’t Panic (Seriously — Don’t)

We get it: the word “lice” triggers a lot of emotion. But freaking out helps no one, especially your kid. Panic can make them feel like something’s seriously wrong when the truth is, this is a fixable issue.

What to Do Instead: Keep your voice calm and your language neutral. Frame it as a routine problem — like catching a cold — and let your child know it’ll be handled quickly and gently.

Don’t Rush to the Drugstore for OTC Treatments

Over-the-counter lice shampoos might seem like the logical next step, but most of them rely on pesticides that lice have grown resistant to. Plus, they don’t remove the eggs (nits), which means reinfestation is common.

What to Do Instead: Do a little research. Professional lice clinics use safe, effective methods that don’t rely on harsh chemicals and actually remove all lice and eggs in one go.

Don’t Shave Your Kid’s Head

Unless your child was already planning on a buzz cut, shaving their head should be a last resort, not your first move. It’s dramatic, often upsetting for the child, and totally unnecessary.

What to Do Instead: Let the professionals handle it. Lice and nits can be completely removed without needing to chop an inch. Keep your kid’s hair — and their dignity — intact.

Don’t Start Cleaning the Entire House

There’s no need to bag up stuffed animals for two weeks or bleach every surface. Lice don’t survive long off the scalp, and your energy is better spent elsewhere.

What to Do Instead: Focus on the basics — wash pillowcases, hats, and brushes in hot water. Vacuum the couch if your child naps there. That’s it.

Don’t Rely on Internet DIY Hacks

Mayonnaise, coconut oil, essential oils … TikTok and parenting forums are full of lice “cures.” Most of them are messy, unproven, and in many cases, ineffective.

What to Do Instead: Stick to methods backed by science and experience. Professional treatment ensures that nothing is left behind. No guesswork required.

Don’t Ignore the Rest of the Household

Lice can spread fast through shared spaces, especially in households with multiple kids. Treating just one person and calling it good can lead to a cycle of re-infestation.

What to Do Instead: Check everyone. Even if others aren’t itching, have them screened by a professional. Many clinics offer family packages or quick head checks to make it simple.

Don’t Shame or Blame

Lice don’t care about hygiene or how often you wash your hair. Anyone can get them. Shaming a child (or yourself) only makes the situation harder.

What to Do Instead: Reassure your child that lice are a normal part of life, and that it says nothing about them or your parenting.

Don’t Delay Treatment

It’s tempting to wait and “see if it gets better,” but lice won’t go away on their own. The longer you wait, the more time they have to spread.

What to Do Instead: Book a professional treatment as soon as you can, or begin a thorough at-home combing routine if you’re experienced and equipped to do so.

Stay Calm, Be Smart, Act Fast

The biggest mistake you can make with lice is waiting too long or trying to do too much. With a focused, informed response, lice don’t stand a chance.

If you’re unsure where to start, your local lice clinic can walk you through the next steps and get your family back to normal fast. No drama, no guesswork — just relief.

Super Lice: What They Are and How to Get Rid of Them for Good

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If you’ve battled lice before, only to have them return stronger than ever, you might be dealing with super lice. These stubborn pests aren’t some sci-fi mutation — they’re just head lice that have built resistance to common over-the-counter treatments. But don’t worry! You can still get rid of them for good with the right approach. Let’s break down what makes super lice different and how to eliminate them once and for all.

What Are Super Lice?

Super lice are regular head lice that have adapted to survive the chemical treatments that used to kill them. Over time, these tiny parasites developed resistance to common pesticide-based shampoos, making traditional drugstore treatments far less effective.

The symptoms are exactly the same as regular lice:

  • Itchy scalp (though not always!)
  • Tiny white nits (eggs) stuck to the hair shaft
  • Lice crawling in the hair

The real problem? Since over-the-counter treatments don’t work as well, many people unknowingly keep lice around, leading to endless cycles of infestation.

Why Drugstore Lice Treatments Fail 

Many lice shampoos contain pyrethroids, a class of insecticides that used to be effective. But studies show that over 98% of lice in the U.S. have developed resistance to these chemicals. That means you can follow all the directions perfectly and still end up with live lice clinging to the scalp.

Plus, pesticide-based treatments don’t kill all the nits. If just one or two eggs hatch, the cycle starts all over again. So, what actually works?

The Best Way to Get Rid of Super Lice

The most effective solution isn’t in the pharmacy aisle — it’s in professional lice removal. Lice clinics use methods that physically remove lice and nits, breaking the cycle for good. Here’s how they do it:

  • Professional combing: Trained specialists use fine-toothed lice combs to remove every last louse and nit. This step is key — no shortcuts!
  • Heated air treatment: Many lice clinics use FDA-cleared devices that dehydrate lice and eggs in a single session. No chemicals, no resistance. Some clinics use cool air instead of heating to achieve the same eradication.
  • Follow-up checks: Experts ensure that no sneaky nits were left behind, preventing reinfestation.

These professional treatments have guaranteed success, unlike drugstore options.

Preventing Lice from Coming Back

Once you’ve cleared an infestation, keep lice away with these simple tips:

  • Avoid head-to-head contact: Lice don’t jump or fly — they crawl. Keep long hair tied back, and teach kids to avoid close-contact activities where heads touch.
  • Skip the unnecessary deep clean: Lice don’t live long off the head, so focus on treating hair, not your whole house.
  • Regular lice checks: Catching lice early makes removal easier. If you’re unsure, professional head checks are a great option.

Say Goodbye to Super Lice for Good

Super lice might be tougher than regular lice, but they’re not invincible. The key is to skip ineffective treatments and go straight to professional lice removal. It’s the fastest, safest, and most reliable way to eliminate lice completely — without endless re-infestations.

 

So if lice keep coming back, don’t waste time with drugstore treatments. Find a professional lice clinic near you and get rid of them for good!

How to Help Kids Feel Comfortable During Lice Treatment: Tips From the Experts

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Lice treatment isn’t painful or taxing, but it can be daunting, especially for kids. Sitting still for long periods and the thought of bugs in their hair can feel overwhelming. The good news? With the right approach, you can help your child feel calm, cared for, and even a little bit empowered during the process. Let’s dive into expert tips to make lice treatment as stress-free as possible.

Set the Tone with Reassurance

Kids pick up on your energy, so stay calm and positive. Explain that lice are common, they don’t mean anything is “wrong,” and that treatment will take care of the problem. Avoid words like “infestation” or “gross” — instead, use gentle language to keep things matter-of-fact.

Pro Tip: Frame the experience as something you’re tackling together, like a team. Knowing you’re there for them goes a long way.

Create a Comfortable Environment

Turn an uncomfortable situation into a cozy one. Set up a comfy chair with cushions or blankets, and let your child pick a movie, show, or playlist to enjoy during treatment.

Bonus Idea: Treat it like a mini spa day! Offer their favorite snacks and make the experience feel a little special.

Choose the Right Lice Clinic

Kids may be nervous about strangers treating their hair, so if you opt for a professional lice clinic, choose one known for its kid-friendly approach. Many clinics use gentle, non-toxic products and offer calming distractions like screens or toys to make the process smoother.

Normalize the Experience

Remind your child that head lice are common — lots of kids get them! Share a fun fact or two to lighten the mood, like how lice have been around since the dinosaurs.

Avoid singling them out by treating everyone in the household proactively. This approach reinforces that it’s no big deal and helps prevent re-infestation.

Talk About Aftercare

Once the treatment is done, empower your child by teaching them simple prevention tips, like keeping their distance from playmates. Turn it into a game where they can spot “lice-smart” habits.

Help Kids Bounce Back with Confidence

Lice treatment might not be anyone’s favorite activity, but it doesn’t have to be a source of stress. With a little patience, positivity, and preparation, you can turn the experience into a moment of care and connection with your child.

Remember, a calm and comfortable child is much easier to treat — and the right attitude can make all the difference.

How Fast Do Lice Spread? Understanding Their Mobility and Rate of Infestation

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When dealing with a head lice infestation, one of the most pressing questions is how quickly these pests can spread. The anxiety of a growing infestation can leave families feeling overwhelmed. People facing an infestation who want to be proactive about treatment also want to know how much time they have to get to a lice clinic before the problem flares up.

What Are Head lice?

Head lice are tiny, wingless insects that thrive on the human scalp. They feed on human blood and reproduce quickly, making them effective parasites. Understanding their lifecycle and habits is crucial to tackling infestations effectively.

How Lice Spread

There are plenty of misconceptions about how lice can spread, but it’s important to separate the facts from the fears. Head lice primarily spread through direct head-to-head contact. This is especially common among children, since they often play closely together. Here’s a closer look at how lice can move from one person to another:

  • Direct Contact: Lice are most commonly transmitted when heads come into close proximity. This is why infestations are prevalent in environments like schools and daycare centers, when children play closely and even nap near one another.
  • Sharing Personal Items: While less common, lice can also spread through shared personal items like hats and hair brushes — but it’s important to understand the caveats. Lice (at all life cycles) can only survive on these objects for a short time, so the window for sharing the infestation is smaller than direct contact.
    • Survival Outside the Host: Adult lice can survive off a human host for about 1-2 days, while nits can remain viable for up to two weeks. Nymphs, on the other hand, will die within a couple of hours off the host. This means that even if a person has left the area, there’s a small window of opportunity for lice to spread through infested items.

Understanding Their Lifecycle

The lifecycle of head lice is crucial to understanding their rate of infestation:

Nits: These tiny, oval-shaped eggs are glued to the base of hair shafts and hatch within about 7-10 days.

Nymphs: Once hatched, nymphs mature into adults within 9-12 days, capable of reproducing soon after.

Adults: An adult louse can lay up to 10 eggs per day, leading to rapid population growth if left untreated.

Prevention Strategies

To effectively combat the spread of lice, here are some essential prevention strategies:

  • Encourage No Head Contact: Teach children to avoid head-to-head contact during playtime.
  • Limit Sharing of Personal Items: Encourage kids to use their own brushes, hats, and hair accessories.
  • Regular Checks: Perform regular head checks, especially after known exposure, to catch any infestations early.

What to Do If Infested

If you discover head lice, it’s important to act quickly and avoid over-the-counter or DIY treatment options, so you don’t risk prolonging the infestation. Instead:

Seek Professional Treatment: The most effective way to handle a lice infestation is to visit a licensed lice clinic! Our trained professionals can accurately assess the severity of the infestation and provide targeted treatments that eliminate lice and nits.

Follow Up: After treatment, it’s important to follow any post-treatment instructions to ensure that all lice and nits are effectively eradicated.

Understanding how fast lice can spread is key to effective prevention and treatment. Head lice are highly mobile and can multiply rapidly, making vigilance and prompt action essential in combating infestations. While the thought of lice can be unsettling, knowing how they spread can empower families to take the necessary steps to protect themselves and their loved ones.

Talking To Other Parents About Head Lice

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Head lice is always an uncomfortable topic to discuss, especially amongst adults. When it comes to neighborhood gatherings, PTA meetings, or lunch with the girls, the last thing anyone wants is to bring up uncomfortable topics. Head lice is one of those topics though that seems to wedge its way into conversation at the most inconvenient times, when it’s too late and an infestation has occurred. As parents, it’s our job to have the tough discussions ahead of time though to prevent this, so how can we talk to our peers to help avoid the head lice situation?

Be Open

Honesty is always the best policy. Be open about your head lice concerns and that you would like to discuss a plan incase of head lice infestation in your neighborhood, friend group, or school system. Explain the need for open communication, if lice appear in someone’s household it’s best to alert others who may have been exposed rather than be ashamed. Head lice is nothing to be ashamed of, as it can happen to anyone and opening these lines of communication can help set the tone for infestations to come. Help others to know they are not alone in this, and it’s something you as parents will get through together.

Be Knowledgeable

 

Learn your head lice facts. Having some information to bring to the table can help to ease other parents’ minds and prepare their families. Often people are afraid of head lice but knowing how they behave and how to eliminate them effectively will put their mind at ease. Discuss the difference between common myths they’ve heard and the reality of head lice. Dive deeper together by reading some expert blogs or information to prepare yourselves in case the need arises to use the information.

Be Prepared

 

Come up with a game plan in case of an infestation. Discuss common and effective treatment strategies like those that Lice Clinics Quad Cities offer. Set up a system for informing each other or those your family had recent contact with of the situation. When a plan has already been set in place, no one will be caught off guard if the need to enact it arises. Find out your school’s head lice policy and incorporate that into your action plan. The more prepared you are the less stressful you’ll be in the case of an infestation.

Be Cordial 

Sometimes talking about head lice is still hard and sometimes there are still individuals that just don’t want to talk. We encourage you to still include them in your planning but in a kind and friendly manner. Write a letter or send an email including the information discussed above. Explain your concerns about lice and state facts. Give them all the information they need to be just as prepared as those who took place in the discussion. Send them a step by step of the action plan, as well as, a list of treatment options and a copy of the school lice policy.

Be sure to keep the lines of communication with other parents in your area open. Talking about head lice and having a plan in mind can be one of the best preventatives. Keep yourself informed and prepared for head lice, but remember head lice is never your family’s fault. If parents work together, then you are never in it alone! 

Flat Ironing Hair

Do Hair Straighteners Kill Lice?

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Do Hair Straighteners Kill Lice?

 

Flat Ironing Hair

There are lots of ideas on the internet on how to get rid of head lice at home. From mayonnaise hair masks to kerosene shampoo most of them don’t live up to the hype. We know that heat can be used to treat head lice but can you use a hair straightener to kill lice?

 

How Does Heat Kill Lice?

 

Heat can be effective at dehydrating and killing head lice and nits. Our premium device uses a safe temperature to dehydrate and kill lice without damaging your scalp or hair. The cool air creates a dry environment that lice can not survive in. Devices like hair dryers may seem like a good at home alternative to this, but they can be dangerous. Blow dryers operate at a much higher heat and air flow. This can cause damage to your scalp and hair, potentially burning you. We designed our device with safety in mind and a special shape to reach all lice.

 

Does a Hair Straightener Kill Lice?

 

Hair straighteners are another at home heated device that many turn to for head lice removal. Unfortunately, the heat from straighteners is limited to the device’s area. Like blow dryers the heat is too high to safely use without damaging your hair. Since straighteners can only heat a small portion of your hair at a time, they often miss a lot of lice. Lice can crawl away from the heat as the straightener moves. Nits that are close to the scalp may not be able to be reached with a straightener. This means they will soon hatch and cause another infestation. They are not worth the risk  or damage caused to hair. 

 

Be safe when removing head lice and visit the professionals at Lice Clinics Quad Cities. Our cool air device is designed for head lice and can safely remove your entire infestation.

 

pot of gold coins spilt on top of green packaging

Don’t Waste Your Pot of Gold on DIY Lice Treatments

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pot of gold coins spilt on top of green packaging

It’s the time of year for leprechauns, rainbows, and pots of gold! We’re all excited to hunt for our pot of gold at the end of the rainbow, but make sure you spend it wisely. Don’t waste your pot of gold on head lice treatments that don’t work like over the counter and DIY lice treatments.

 

The Cost of DIY Lice Treatments

 

DIY treatments may seem like the easy and cost-effective route, but they can add up quickly. These treatments require a variety of products and multiple treatments.

 

 – DIY Treatment Products and Shampoos: Average cost $45

 – Head Lice Combs: range from $7 to $45

 – Re-treatment: Average cost $45

 

Depending on the treatment you choose your cost may be even higher. The real cost comes when DIY options don’t work, and you end up at the professionals anyways, doubling your expenses.

 

Why to Avoid DIY Options

 

From head lice shampoos to age-old home tricks there are a lot of DIY lice treatment options. Some contain lice killing chemicals and others are simple household goods. The problem is the majority treat adult lice and do not rid you off nits. Nits, lice eggs, stick to the base of your hair and are difficult to remove. Unfortunately, if not removed they will hatch and cause a new infestation. This means needing to continue to retreat until you are lucky enough to catch lice at the right stage in their life cycle. This can raise your lice removal cost drastically.

 

Why Get a Professional Treatment

 

Our head lice technicians are trained professionals and have a lot of experience removing both head lice and nits. They use our signature lice treatment to kill lice fast and effectively. There are no harsh chemicals and our treatment is guaranteed! Get rid of lice and nits on the first try with our head lice experts!

woman intensely itching scalp with hand in hair

What Happens When You Leave Lice Untreated?

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Most of us can’t imagine having lice any longer than it takes to treat, but we’ve all heard horror stories about untreated head lice. Leaving head lice untreated can have some serious consequences. 

 

Untreated Head Lice

Health Implications

Not treating head lice promptly can have many side effects beyond the itching. Lice survive by feeding off blood through their hosts’ scalps. This is what causes the itching but can also cause many other issues. Open bites from lice and marks from scratching can become infected and cause all kinds of health problems. If it goes on long enough the feeding lice can deplete the blood’s hemoglobin and cause serious implications.

 

Hair Loss

Extended head lice infestations can affect your hair. Not only can the buildup of nits, lice, and debris cause bacteria, but they can also damage hair. Lice eggs, nits, feed on keratin. This draws nourishment from your hair and can eventually cause severe damage. This and continued scratching can make hair brittle and prone to falling out. The consistent use of most over the counter head lice products can also cause hair damage and block hair follicles. 

 

Social Implications

Head lice have long been associated with a feeling of embarrassment. In reality head lice can affect anyone from any race, economic background, or age. While we know this, it doesn’t always keep those affected from feeling bad about their infestation. Depending on work and school policies it can also mean needing to take time off. Missing work or school for a short time can be frustrating but continued absence can jeopardize your job and education. That’s why we offer our exclusive one and done treatment to get you lice free on the first try.

 

Our friendly local clinic is here to help you get rid of your lice infestation on the first try. So, you can beat head lice right away and not have to worry about the implications of an extended infestation.

Holiday Lights in Quad Cities

Post Holiday Head Lice Increase

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Post Holiday Head Lice Increase

Holiday Lights in Quad Cities

 

 

 

 

 

 

The time from Thanksgiving to New Years is a busy time filled with shopping, gatherings, and more. After the holidays, everything else seems to begin catching up to us. This included illness and of course head lice. All of the holiday gatherings can be the perfect place for colds and head lice to spread. Why exactly does the post holiday season bring on an increase in head lice though?

 

Post Holiday Head Lice Infestations

 

During the holiday season we gather with friends and family. While this can be a fun and joyous time it can also be a breading ground for illness and head lice. The close contact and nonstop running can put a strain on your body and make you more susceptible. Head lice can easily crawl from host to host during packed gatherings and cause head lice infestations to spread. It can often be a few weeks before you begin to notice your head lice infestation. By this time the holiday season is over and the lice have been spread around. 

 

How to Treat Post Holiday Head Lice

 

If you find yourself or a loved one battling head lice after the holiday season our clinic can help. Our staff is made up of trained head lice professionals that can help you get lice free fast. From head lice checks to our premium head lice treatment we’ll have you back to normal in no time. Our treatments are fast, non-toxic and backed by our lice free guarantee. 

 

Stay lice free after the holiday rush with the lice experts at Lice Clinics Quad Cities.