What are Head Lice?

Head Lice, or Pediculus humanus capitis, are the most common form of all three species of Lice that infest humans.  They are dependant upon a human host for survival, feeding 4-6 times per day.  Head Lice are attracted by warmth and odor and they will die in approximately 48 hours without a blood meal.  Head Lice do not jump or fly from one person to another; nor can an individual contract Head Lice from an animal such as their pets. 

A Head Louse is transmitted by coming into direct contact with the wingless parasitic insect.  They use their claw like legs to attach themselves to a hair shaft to pull themselves along at a rate of 12 inches per hour. 

Infestations are common, found worldwide and affecting between 6-20 million people every year.  Lice do not discriminate based on wealth or cleanliness. They affect all races; however, they are more prevalent in Caucasians in the United States due to the round shape of their hair shaft.  There is a species of Head Lice in Africa that mainly affects individuals of African descent. 

The reason that this species of lice favor the African descent is due to the oval shaping of their hair’s cross sections.  In the United States, African Americans are reported to have much lower incidences of Head Lice than Caucasians, Hispanics or Asian Americans.  Pediatric Dermatology cites various studies that suggest the incidence of Head Lice among African American school children is less than half of one percent.  While the incidence among their non-black schoolmates is usually more than 10 percent.  The length of ones hair does not determine if a person is going to get Lice or not; however it will require an aggressive Head Lice treatment. 

While it was previously thought that the Head Louse is not capable of transmitting disease, new studies are showing that the Head Louse is closely related to the Body Louse. 

This is very significant evidence; the Body Louse has long been associated with the transmission of typhus and trench fever.   Therefore, the idea of the Head Louse being a potential vector for diseases cannot be underestimated. 

How are Head Lice transmitted?

Lice are transmitted from person to person by close personal and prolonged contact.  It is also possible to acquire a Head Lice infestation via contact with inanimate objects, such as contaminated items of clothing, hats, bedding, towels, grooming utensils, hair ornaments and upholstered furniture.  Head Lice outbreaks are more common among school age children.  Girls tend to contract this condition more often than boys because they like to play “dress up,” play in each others hair and have sleepovers.   

Transmission also occurs when individuals are sharing a common bed, whether an intimate relationship is present or not.  Infestations may also be common in families, dormitories, nursing homes, hospitals and other institutions. In any situation, a good proven Head Lice treatment is required. 

It’s a misconception that Head Lice infestations are due to the lack of cleanliness.  An interesting fact about Lice is the Head Louse actually prefers clean hair and scalp.  In the presence of soiled hair and scalp the Louse cannot adequately apply the nit to the hair shaft; it is for that reason it is important to have a proven highly effective Head Lice treatment. 

Risk Factors that may lead to Head Lice infestations: 

• Close prolonged contact with infested individuals
• Contact with contaminated objects: clothing, hats, combs, brushes etc.
• School aged children; female school age children are at a higher risk
• Facilities such as dormitories, nursing homes, hospitals etc
• Extremely clean hair and scalp

What are the symptoms of Head Lice?

The general symptoms of a Head Lice infestation are intense itching and scratching on the scalp, back of neck and behind the ears.  Sometimes a presence of a red rash can accompany the infested area.  The red rash is caused by a reaction and irritation to the saliva of the Lice.  It is sometimes possible for an individual to be infested for a while before they become aware of the itching and irritation.  Overall, a Lice infestation is usually easy to detect.  Most people can feel a crawling sensation and see nits attached to the hair shaft.  People also report seeing Louse droppings; these look like a fine black powder on sheets and pillows. 

Symptoms: 

• Intense itching on scalp area, back of neck and behind ears
• Scratching in the areas previously mentioned
• Rash on or near the infested area
• Presence of nits on shafts of hair
• Presence of Lice insects

What is the life cycle of Head Lice?

There are three stages that complete the life cycle of Head Lice; they are the nit, nymph and the adult. 

Nit:  Nits are the eggs of the Lice. They are attached with glue like substance on the hair shaft close to the scalp.  This is done because it needs the warmth that it receives from a human to incubate.  They are covered with a waxy film to protect the growing larva.  Additionally, nits are equipped with ventilation slit at the top of the egg to provide air.  These nits are small oval cylinders approximately 1/16th of an inch in length. They can be a variety of colors ranging from a light, whitish color to a dark brown. Once hatched, it becomes transparent. It usually takes 7-10 days for the larva to mature and hatch. When they are ready to hatch, the immature Louse starts swallowing air and expelling it rectally; this causes an air bubble within the nit that pushes them out of the casing. Nits can survive 4-10 days off of a human host.

Nymph: Upon hatching the baby Louse is considered a nymph.  The nymph looks similar to an adult Head Louse but smaller. After hatching, the Louse needs a blood meal within 45 minutes in order to survive. A young Louse will molt three times before it reaches sexual maturity. This process takes 7-12 days. 

Adult:  The adult Louse is approximately 2 millimeters long, with six legs that are designed to cling to hair shafts. The Head Louse and Body Louse almost identical; however, the Head Louse is smaller in comparison. Head Lice are dependant upon a daily blood meal for survival. If they are dislodged from their host, they will die in about 48 to 55 hours at 75 degrees Fahrenheit. The adult Head Louse is bluish-gray to whitish or brown in color. They are round to oval in shape and are longer than they are wide. The female is the larger of the two sexes. The female Louse will look for a male Louse to inseminate her eggs. During her lifetime, a female may lay up to 100 eggs at a rate of 6-7 nits per day. Of those nits, only the ones that have been fertilized will hatch. 

Head Lice generally live for three to six weeks, depending on temperature and humidity.

Natural Head Lice Treatments preferred over Traditional Toxic & Deadly Lice Treatments

Traditional Head Lice treatments continue to contain deadly pesticides harmful to children and adults. We wonder why something that can be so deadly is still commonly being sold in our local pharmacies and grocery stores. There obviously was a need to develop a formula safe for children and adults without any deadly, toxic ingredients or pesticides. DermaTechRx™ Research Center took on that challenge and dedicated most of its resources on a safe non-toxic treatment for Head Lice. Read on for more information.

Pyrethrum and Lindane are used as the primary active ingredient in most over the counter Head Lice products. Both of these ingredients are labeled with CAUTION, and Lindane has been banned in several states because of its high toxicity. Both of these toxic ingredients are responsible for death, neurological problems, asthmatic breathing, nasal stuffiness, headaches, nausea, loss of coordination, tremors, convulsions, facial flushing and swelling, burning and itching.

The most severe poisonings have been reported in infants and small children, who are not able to efficiently break down these pesticides. Even worse is that doctors continue to prescribe these toxic treatments even though they are only about 30% effective. The Head Lice might have built up a resistance against these pesticides over the last several decades and that is why Pyrethrum and Lindane are no longer effective for treating Head Lice.

Because your health and well-being are our primary concern, DermaTechRx™ Research Center decided to make a difference 5 years ago. DermaTechRx™ formulated a natural Head Lice treatment that is safe, nontoxic, easy to use and is a highly effective Head Lice treatment featuring All Stop™ eco-friendly Lice treatment products. All Stop™ strictly prohibits the use of such harmful chemicals in our products. We don't think anyone's life should be at risk when killing Head Lice.

 How to get rid of Head Lice

DermaTechRx™ Research Center has worked hard over the past 5 years creating the just right formulas for the All Stop™ brand of products. Our goal was that they work quickly, safely and they are highly effective. And we're proud to say we've accomplished that goal.

The Research Center has compiled a complete Lice regimen that requires following Steps 1-3 below, then repeating again, 7-10 days later, to break the Lice life-cycle and prevent reinfestation. It is the only proven way on how to get rid of Head Lice.

Step 1 – All Stop™ Liceadex™ Lice & Nit Shampoo

Shake product well before using.

For Head Lice --Apply to dry hair and entire scalp, starting at the nape of the neck and behind the ears (where Lice generally gather) and work forwards. *Note: (1) 4 oz bottle of Liceadex™ Lice & Nit Shampoo will provide a full shampoo treatment (1 full treatment = 2 applications, 7-10 days apart) for one person with up to shoulder length hair of standard thickness. Thoroughly saturate all hair and scalp; to be effective, all Lice and Nits must come in full contact with the Shampoo. Put plastic shower cap on head and leave on for at least 60 minutes – for best results, stay in a warm room. Remove shower cap (do not discard!) and rinse hair and shower cap thoroughly with warm running water until all shampoo is rinsed out. Towel dry excess water from hair, but leave damp for Step 2.

For Body and Pubic Lice -- Apply Lice & Nit Shampoo to the pimple-like rashes on the skin, taking special care to avoid the sensitive areas around testicles and the tip of penis or vaginal opening. Allow the solution to set for 30 minutes. Rinse with forceful, warm water. Towel Dry.

Step 2 – All Stop™ Liceadex™ Lice & Nit Removal Rinse

For Head Lice -- After rinsing out Shampoo and towel drying hair, apply Liceadex™ Lice & Nit Removal Rinse to entire scalp in the same fashion as the Shampoo, starting at the nape of the neck and behind the ears, working forwards. *Note: (1) 4 oz bottle of Liceadex™ Lice & Nit Removal Rinse will provide a full rinse treatment (1 full treatment = 2 applications, 7-10 days apart) for one person with up to shoulder length hair of standard thickness. Massage Rinse down into the base of the scalp and hair roots, making sure all areas are well covered. Put plastic cap on head and leave on for at least 45 minutes. Lather hair then remove cap and rinse thoroughly under warm water while combing through hair with the provided comb or any fine-toothed comb.

For Body and Pubic Lice -- Apply the Liceadex™ Lice & Nit Removal Rinse on affected areas and allow to dry on skin. DO NOT RINSE.

Step 3 – All Stop™ Liceadex™ Home & Bedding Spray

For Head, Body & Pubic Lice Liceadex-eX™ Home & Bedding Spray is an environmental, contact killer used to kill any Lice and Nits that may be in the host’s environment such as clothing, beds, cars, combs, brushes, pillows, hats, coats, and other personal belongings. Remove and wash all bed linens and spray mattress and pillows with Liceadex-eX™ Home & Bedding Spray. Spray all areas that the infected individual may have come in contact with. For Body and Pubic Lice, pay special attention to the seams of clothing and waistbands of underwear and shorts. For heavy infestations steam furniture, carpets, and bedding with the All Stop™ Professional Steamer, apply All Stop™ DE-Stroy™ Pest Control Eco-Dust, and encase mattresses with AllStop™ Mattress Covers.

More Information on Head Lice Infestations and Treatments:

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• easiest way to get rid of Head Lice - Head Lice treatment

All All Stop™ products are safe and non-toxic when used as directed. DermatechRx® is not a substitute for medical advice. The operators of this website and those who provide information for this site do not directly or indirectly practice medicine or dispense medical advice or services through this website. You should not rely on this information to determine a diagnosis or course of treatment, nor should it be considered a replacement for consultation with a physician or other certified healthcare provider. DermatechRx® makes no representations or warranties with respect to any information offered or provided on or through the DermatechRx® website regarding treatment, action, or application of product. DermatechRx®, nor any of its contributors, shall have any liability for the content, errors, or omissions in the information provided by this website. DermatechRx® is not responsible or liable for any advice, course of treatment, diagnosis, or any other information, services, or products that you obtain through this site.