Pediatric Hair Solutions : March 2013

Tuesday 26 March 2013

Which Came First the Louse or the Nit?

Nobody knows! Although, we do know that Lice are transmitted by head to head contact or by accident when a hat, brush or frequently used object is shared. In addition to elementary aged children, we are seeing an increase in the cases of Head Lice in middle and even high school. Isn't technology great, heads are together more than ever while laughing at the latest text, viewing the latest posting of "Call me Maybe" on YouTube, checking out the latest tweet on whose dating who or sending silly pictures to friends all night at a sleepover! Those little buggers like fresh heads and if the opportunity arises as it is more and more often, the Lice will travel.

We can help you get rid of Head Lice the first time at Pediatric Hair Solutions. We have successfully treated over 2,200 patients with a 100% effectiveness rate.

Call us 7 days a week with any questions or concerns regarding Head Lice. We can help you the first time!

Almost all prescription and over-the-counter medications sold today for treating head lice contain pesticides or other chemicals, many of which have the potential to cause irritating skin reactions or other harmful side effects. For anyone looking to treat head lice the safe way, the LouseBuster™ device uses only controlled, heated air, so it is very safe – even when used to treat people with asthma and those who have previously experienced side effects from other products. Please visit Pediatric Hair Solutions.

Who Knew Treating Head Lice Could be so Rewarding?

There are so many treatment myths and clean up myths that are quite amusing but not so effective.

Did you know?

Laundry - things do not need to be washed; they only need to be put in the dryer for 30 minutes on high heat

Things to vacuum - Only clean areas that have had direct head contact

Helmets, brushes and hair accessories - put in the freezer for 48 hours

Best kept clean up secret - You can get treated at Pediatric Hair Solutions and then leave your home for 48 hours and no washing, drying, bagging toys or vacuuming is required!!

Almost all prescription and over-the-counter medications sold today for treating head lice contain pesticides or other chemicals, many of which have the potential to cause irritating skin reactions or other harmful side effects. For anyone looking to treat head lice the safe way, the LouseBuster™ device uses only controlled, heated air, so it is very safe – even when used to treat people with asthma and those who have previously experienced side effects from other products. Please visit Pediatric Hair Solutions.

Advancements in the Treatment of Head Lice

We would like to introduce you to the new breakthrough technology in in the treatment of Head Lice. In March 2010, Larada Sciences received clearance that approved the LouseBuster Device as the first FDA cleared medical device for the sole purpose of treating Head Lice. The LouseBuster Device kills 99.2% of the nits.

How it works?
The LouseBuster clinically tested device is intended for use to kill lice and nits in the hair of adults and children 4 years of age and older. It delivers carefully controlled heated air directly to your hair at a temperature cooler than most hair-dryers and at a much higher flow rate. a unique, single-use applicator tip specifically designed to lift the hair slightly while directing airflow right onto lice and nits. A specific, timed treatment pattern is followed to ensure all areas of the head are treated. No pesticides or other chemicals are used in the therapy; just heated air.

Pediatric Hair Solutions, a Charlotte based company has exclusive rights to use this new device in the states of North Carolina, South Carolina and Ohio. Pediatric Hair Solutions has developed a treatment protocol that coupled with the use of the LouseBuster Device has enabled them to have a 100% effectiveness rate. For more information about this new technology visit our blog. For more information about our treatments, questions or concerns call or contact us at a location near you!

Almost all prescription and over-the-counter medications sold today for treating head lice contain pesticides or other chemicals, many of which have the potential to cause irritating skin reactions or other harmful side effects. For anyone looking to treat head lice the safe way, the LouseBuster™ device uses only controlled, heated air, so it is very safe – even when used to treat people with asthma and those who have previously experienced side effects from other products. Please visit Pediatric Hair Solutions.

Why is it so Difficult to Get Rid of Head Lice?

The key to getting rid of Head Lice is being able to effectively remove or eradicate all the nits or eggs that the louse or lice have laid in a person's hair. All treatment options that are over the counter or in prescription form only treat the live lice not their eggs. Therefore, the eggs continue to hatch and reproduce and it seems that you will never be able to get rid of the lice.

Life cycle of a Louse

Nits are laid by an adult female louse and hatch 7-10 days from when they are laid.
When a louse is first hatched it's called a nymph. during this first stage, the nymph needs to eat soon after it hatches or it will die; and its body is clear in color and becomes darker as it starts feeding. It's outer shell is like a coat of armor and will shed out of it as it grows. From the day it hatches, it takes another 7-10 days and three stages of molting until it becomes an adult and the female is mature enough to start laying her own eggs.
The adult louse has a life expectancy of 30 days and a female can be fertile for 20-30 days. Once the louse becomes an adult and mates she can lay 6-10 nits per day, therefore the female can lay more than 200 eggs in her lifetime.

There are only two ways to effectively kill the nits or eggs and that is to hand pick each egg from the head which leaves a tremendous risk that every egg is removed or using the new FDA cleared LouseBuster medical treatment device. If you have any questions, please call us at (704) 909-9414.

Almost all prescription and over-the-counter medications sold today for treating head lice contain pesticides or other chemicals, many of which have the potential to cause irritating skin reactions or other harmful side effects. For anyone looking to treat head lice the safe way, the LouseBuster™ device uses only controlled, heated air, so it is very safe – even when used to treat people with asthma and those who have previously experienced side effects from other products. Please visit Pediatric Hair Solutions.

Spread Love Not Lice

The beauty and innocence of children is wonderful! They have no enemies and truly see the best in everything around them and a new person is a new best friend, so hugs are inevitable.

A hug is like a boomerang - you get it back right away.
~Bil Keane, "Family Circus"

Lice can be a little like a boomerang as well! It is head to head contact that is the most popular way to contract head lice. Take precautions and check your child's hair on a regular basis and especially this month when hugs abound and use a preventive lice spray each morning before school to keep the bugs away!!!!!

Known scents to repel lice include: Mint, Rosemary, Eucalyptus and tea tree. Remember if there's lice detected in the community or school environment, check your child's hair 2-3 times a week for 3 weeks.

Almost all prescription and over-the-counter medications sold today for treating head lice contain pesticides or other chemicals, many of which have the potential to cause irritating skin reactions or other harmful side effects. For anyone looking to treat head lice the safe way, the LouseBuster™ device uses only controlled, heated air, so it is very safe – even when used to treat people with asthma and those who have previously experienced side effects from other products. Please visit Pediatric Hair Solutions.

You've Got Lice

We just had the loveliest client in our facility this weekend. The woman was 58 years of age and had a severe case of head lice. She had gone to see her primary care physician, a dermatologist and an allergist for an itchy head. She had been on steroids, antibiotics and various scalp treatments to no avail.
The itchiness persisted until one day, the lady was cleaning out her hair brush and was appalled to find live bugs crawling around. She put a couple of the bugs in a zip-lock baggie and ran over to her neighbors home and asked "what are these?" Her neighbor, a young mother said "You've got Lice."

I am sure she quickly shooed the woman from her home. The woman then began various over the counter treatments and still could not get rid of the lice. She finally found us and we were able to help this woman get her life back and stop all the itching!

Almost all prescription and over-the-counter medications sold today for treating head lice contain pesticides or other chemicals, many of which have the potential to cause irritating skin reactions or other harmful side effects. For anyone looking to treat head lice the safe way, the LouseBuster™ device uses only controlled, heated air, so it is very safe – even when used to treat people with asthma and those who have previously experienced side effects from other products. Please visit Pediatric Hair Solutions.

Healthy Kid Approved Smoothies

Often parents are concerned about how much nutrition their children are getting and are looking for ways to keep their kids healthy. Kids tastes can change daily and if you're anything like my kids, it's a struggle to get them to eat their fruits and veggies. Greens like spinach, kale, collard greens and swiss chard are chock full of essential vitamins and nutrients like Vitamins A, C, iron and protien that growing bodies need. If you can get your kids to get past the green color, they'll probably be really surprised that they can't even taste the veggies and green smoothies taste just like other pretty pastel all fruit smoothies.

Here's a great green smoothie recipe sure to be a hit with your kids!

Try to purchase organic produce when you can.
•    2 handfuls of spinach leaves
•    1 C. Organic Greek Yogurt
•    1 banana (I use old ripe bananas I've peeled and saved in the freezer)
•    1 apple (cored)
•    5 strawberries (again, I use old strawberries that were on the verge of being too ripe, cut off the tops and froze)
•    1/2 orange

Place all items in blender and blend until the consistency you desire. You may need to add a bit of water to get the blender to start mixing.

Garnish with a fun colorful straw and some fresh fruit and watch it disappear!

Almost all prescription and over-the-counter medications sold today for treating head lice contain pesticides or other chemicals, many of which have the potential to cause irritating skin reactions or other harmful side effects. For anyone looking to treat head lice the safe way, the LouseBuster™ device uses only controlled, heated air, so it is very safe – even when used to treat people with asthma and those who have previously experienced side effects from other products. Please visit Pediatric Hair Solutions.

Summer Hair Care for Your Child

Ah, the hot summers are finally here. That means no school, great weather, and lots and lots of fun and games for children. But not for the parents. Come summer, and children usually tend to get dirty, soggy and smelly by the end of the day playing themselves out in the sun or at summer camps. If you are going to the beach or teaching your child to swim in the summer, you have dry brittle chlorine affected hair to deal with as well! But not to worry, there are ways by which you can set up a summer hair care routine for your child which will ensure healthy hair and a clean scalp.

Step one – Buy the best summer hair care products.

We recommend you stock up on summer hair product like an organic clarifying shampoo which will remove salts and minerals from the hair strand. Buy a very good but extremely mild organic baby conditioner or a moisturizing oil that will protect the hair strand from sun and chemicals. If possible, stock up on a leave-in conditioner which will acts as a sunscreen and a waterproof layer on top of the hair strand.

Step two – Cut your child’s hair

Its summer time and that means its going to be hot. Your child is going to sweat and sweat and it’s a good idea to make him comfortable by cutting all hair as short as possible. This might not be possible for girls but think about it. A good haircut will just ensure your child is happy instead of hot and sweaty with long sticky hair strands.

Step three – Prepare for the weather

Its going to be hot and sunny so invest in hats, caps and scarves which will keep hair in place and out of your child’s face. If you have cut your child’s hair short, don’t forget to apply sunscreen in an around the parting or on all visible scalp areas. Sunburned part lines are very common and extremely uncomfortable for children. If you’ve been to the beach or in the swimming pool with your children, there is a very good chance that your child’s hair will pickup oxidized water minerals and turn green. Use the leave-in conditioner you bought in STEP 1 along with a chelating shampoo to get your child’s hair back to its normal state.

Step four – Have fun.

With a fully protected child, you have nothing to worry about and a great summer to enjoy!

Almost all prescription and over-the-counter medications sold today for treating head lice contain pesticides or other chemicals, many of which have the potential to cause irritating skin reactions or other harmful side effects. For anyone looking to treat head lice the safe way, the LouseBuster™ device uses only controlled, heated air, so it is very safe – even when used to treat people with asthma and those who have previously experienced side effects from other products. Please visit Pediatric Hair Solutions.

Head Lice Treatments for Child

Eeew, your child has lice. Just the sight of your child scratching away at his scalp is enough to make your skin crawl but you have to deal with it…. and you have to deal with it right away!

A little statistics

Head lice affect more than 10 million children in the US every year and they can be difficult to treat. The mature head lice lay eggs or nits that take 7-12 days to hatch and they can mature in about 9-12 days continuing the cycle. Head lice usually don’t spread any diseases but they can be very irritating and they can infect an entire household in a few days time. Prompt treatment is the only way to actually control the lice and prevent them from spreading.

What can you do?

Most schools usually issue warnings when a lice epidemic becomes evident. As soon as you get the warning, make sure you check your child’s head every day by checking hair follicles. It’s difficult to find one or two mature lice but the silver pin-head sized eggs are easily noticed clinging to hair follicles near the scalp
Once you spot white silvery globules on the scalp, it’s time to start treatment. Your pediatrician will recommend OTC pediculicides in the form of a cream rinse, shampoo or lotion to kill the parasite. Use the product on wet hair and continue to use it for at least a week after the lice have disappeared. For very resistant lice, oral medication may be required but this is very, very rare.
Although over-the-counter pediculicides (lice-killing product) do work, we also recommend you back this up with manual checks and a lice comb. Regular use of the comb ensures that the adult lice and the eggs are dragged out of the mane. Do not forget to place a white towel under your child’s mane while combing to collect the eggs and the lice. You can also use the Lousebuster to treat your child’s lice situation. We recommend you research the procedure before you start to ensure complete safety.
Prevent reinfestation by soaking bed linens and clothing in very hot water at about 130° F and then running them through a hot dryer for 20 minutes. Remember to soak all hair care products and accessories in rubbing alcohol and in medicated shampoo as well.
Home remedies like mayonnaise, petroleum jelly, olive oil, baby oil etc are popular and they are supposed to be very effective but they have not been scientifically tested for effectiveness.

Caution

Pediculicides are dangerous and most dermatologists urge caution while using them. Do not combine them with other products or other pediculicides to increase the effect and to kill lice faster. It is very dangerous. Do not combine the pediculicide with a hair dryer or blower and do not use the same medication for more than three times on a child. Try natural methods as much as possible and contact your pediatrician if the lice situation does not resolve.

Easy Ways to Care For Your Child's Hair

Whether you have a boy or a girl, taking care of their hair is very important. Nice clean healthy hair makes your child look healthy and well-cared for but children are naturally messy. There is a very good chance that your child comes home from school with the dirt and grit (along with a few parasites) of the entire world on his shoulders. So what do you do?

Caring for your child’s hair the easy way

Combing hair – Comb your child’s hair every day with a wide-toothed comb to remove snarls and knots. Start from the bottom and slowly move upward, detangling as you do so. Ensure that you use a detangling spray or a light oil to help you comb as gently as possible.
Shampoo and conditioner – Baby’s shampoos are ideal for children and toddlers as well. They are low on chemicals and if you use an organic version, you know that you have the best product for delicate skin. We recommend you limit shampooing to about once a week for babies and three times a week for toddlers and preschoolers. Conditioner is not really required for baby hair and for toddler hair but will find organic products that are specifically formulated for baby and toddler hair.
Check the scalp and the hair follicles – Unfortunately for parents, children tend to bring home nearly every form of lice possible at least once during their school years. We recommend you check hair follicles for shiny white globules located near the scalp. The egg follicles are a prime sign of incubating lice. Fleas are also a very real danger. Check the scalp as well for bald patches, white patches or itchy patches, which can signify ringworm, psoriasis, eczema or allergies. Deal with these problems immediately and aggressively.
Moisturize the scalp and hair follicles – Some children do have very dry skin and hair. for these children, it’s a good idea to use natural oils like emu oil, avocado oil and almond oil to moisturize hair and keep it soft.
Nutrition – Good nutrition is extremely necessary to ensure healthy hair. Teach your child how to eat fruits and vegetables and if necessary provide a multi-vitamin and a calcium supplement to ensure a healthy body.

Good hair care habits are the only way that you can teach your child how to care for their own hair. Inculcate these habits early on and your work is minimized.