I am a Lice Lady. AMA

[Anonymous]

Do you have questions about lice/nitpicking? AMA....

[Anonymous]

I've heard that AA typically don't get lice because of the texture of our hair and the products we put in it. Is that true? If so, how does that correlate with mixed race AA/cauc. children?

[Anonymous]

Any tips on prevention besides not sharing hats and such?

Thanks!

[Anonymous]

AAs have their own special lice. Seriously. The lice that evolved for African hair are different from those that evolved for European hair. "African head lice have claws especially adapted for grasping oval hair shafts" http://www.ipm.ucdavis.edu/PMG/PESTNOTES/pn7446.html

Therefore, if European lice are the most common lice in a particular setting, they are not likely to thrive in AA hair. So, to answer your question, for a mixed person, it would depend on the actual texture of their hair - more AA or Euro.

[Anonymous]

Any way to DIY lice eradication, so one can bypass hiring Lice Eradication Professionals?

How does one become a Lice Eradication Professional.

[Anonymous]

Do redheads get lice? I'm from a family of redheads and no lice so far. Just wondering if my kids and me have been lucky!

Also, what kit do you advise I keep at home?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Any tips on prevention besides not sharing hats and such?

Thanks!

Lice, to my way of thinking, are like any other "germ". If you are exposed to the disease, you are bound to catch it. So if your coworker sneezes and you inhale the virus, the same goes for lice - if you come in contact with a louse (a pregnant female louse) you are going to get lice. There is nothing any more gross or dirty about lice than any other microbe (OK I know they are an insect not a microbe).

I think that selfies and shared screen time (games on iphones) are an increasing culprit nowadays. Also, sleepovers. I can't tell you how many parents tell me it was a sleepover at X Y Z camp...

[Anonymous]

I have boys and my action plan is just to shave their heads...is this too extreme? Is it at least effective?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:AAs have their own special lice. Seriously. The lice that evolved for African hair are different from those that evolved for European hair. "African head lice have claws especially adapted for grasping oval hair shafts" http://www.ipm.ucdavis.edu/PMG/PESTNOTES/pn7446.html

Therefore, if European lice are the most common lice in a particular setting, they are not likely to thrive in AA hair. So, to answer your question, for a mixed person, it would depend on the actual texture of their hair - more AA or Euro.

That is very interesting. Thank you!!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Any way to DIY lice eradication, so one can bypass hiring Lice Eradication Professionals?

How does one become a Lice Eradication Professional.

The only effective way to eradicate lice is removal of all live bugs and nits. If you get good at this, contact a lice removal service (google online) and offer your services.

I became good at this through misfortune. My kids kept getting lice. I started with Rid, hired lice ladies, learned about lice, realized I could do it.

Back in the old days I think everybody had a grandma who could teach this. Now, after a couple DDT generations, we are lost. I never had it as a kid. Mom never had it. Suddenly I had kids with lice. Talk about a freak out. Now it's no more gross or disgusting for me than changing a diaper or wiping a runny nose...

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Do redheads get lice? I'm from a family of redheads and no lice so far. Just wondering if my kids and me have been lucky!

Also, what kit do you advise I keep at home?

I am not aware of any special resistance amongst redheads, although I will admit I have not had a redheaded client yet.

I do not believe in any kits. I only believe in the "licemeister" comb and conditioner. You can find the licemeister on amazon. If you google"lice and conditioner," you will find the latest research on how all one must do for effective lice removal is lubricate the hair.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I have boys and my action plan is just to shave their heads...is this too extreme? Is it at least effective?

After 11 years of parenting girls, I would totally shave their and my heads if it were socially acceptable. I hate lice.

For boys, I would keep the hair as short as possible. The key to prevention is regular lice combing. I preventive comb my kids now in the bath, weekly.

[Anonymous]

Do any of the shampoos that promise to dissolve the glue that holds the nits to the hair shaft (minimizing the need for nitpicking) actually live up to their claims?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Do any of the shampoos that promise to dissolve the glue that holds the nits to the hair shaft (minimizing the need for nitpicking) actually live up to their claims?

Personally, I do not believe in any commercial product, at all.

Vinegar may or may not help dissolve the glue that adheres the nit to the hair shaft. Some lice services use a percentage of vinegar in their lice removal product. But dissolving the glue is unnecessary. Manual removal of the nits through combing, with or without dissolving the glue, is the only cure. This can be accomplished with a good lice comb and dedicated combing. It is the "dedicated combing" part in which a lice lady like me specializes.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Do any of the shampoos that promise to dissolve the glue that holds the nits to the hair shaft (minimizing the need for nitpicking) actually live up to their claims?

To be more specific - it does not matter how "loose" a product make the glue. The nit has to be removed. So unless the product in question makes nits fall out of the hair, which I do not believe it can, then no. I do not believe that any product lives up to such a claim.