Q: Can lice jump or fly?
No, lice are crawling insects. They do not have wings.
 
Q: Can my pet have lice?
No, only humans can get head lice.
 
Q: Can lice travel to other parts of the body?
No, they only live on your head.
 
Q: Will adding gel to my child's hair prevent him or her from getting lice?
Unfortunately, gel does nothing to prevent head lice. It is better to take the extra time to brush hair and pull it back. A spritz or two of mint spray may help as well.
 
Q: Does having head lice mean I am dirty?
Personal hygiene is not an issue with lice, so contracting head lice does not mean you are dirty! They do prefer clean hair over dirty, but having dirty hair will not prevent or hinder them from laying eggs in your hair.
 
Q: Do lice shampoos work?
No! The products sold in drugstores or prescribed by doctors are called Pediculicides. Brands such as Nix, Rid and Clear are insecticidal shampoos and they contain pesticides, which may pose long-term health hazards to humans!

Read more about why we don't use lice shampoos on our Shampoos? page.
 
Q: Will a hair cut eliminate the problem?
No, it would need to be a buzz cut. Lice are only interested in your scalp, so cutting your hair will not eliminate the problem.
 
Q: How do I know when I am louse free?
If you are nit free for 14 days straight, you have managed to successfully eliminate head lice.
 
Q: Is head lice dangerous?
More than anything it is an annoying inconvenience. The reactions lice may cause, are usually mild in comparison to the risks involved with using the chemicals found in most lice shampoos.
 
Q: Can you wash away head lice?
No, lice can hold their breath for up to 2 hours. They lock their claws onto the hair and hang on for dear life! Nits are coated with a fixative substance, which literally cements them to the hair. They cannot be washed away.
 
Q: My head doesn't itch, can I still have lice?
Yes, itching is caused by an allergic reaction to the bugs' saliva. Only 50% of people infected develop itching symptoms. If you do experience itching, removing the bugs will alleviate the irritation but not always immediately.
 
Q: Does tea tree oil repel lice?
No, but studies conducted by the Shepherd Institute show that mint is an effective repellent against head lice. Unfortunately, oil does nothing to prevent lice from laying eggs in your hair. This is a widespread misconception.
 

Q: Where should I look for lice?
Begin looking for nits near the scalp, around the ears and near the nape of the neck. Nits will be small, tear drop shaped and yellowish or tan in color. They are attached to only one side of the hair shaft. If you don’t see anything there, then check the other areas of the head. If you are not sure if you are seeing a nit, blow on it. If it stays attached to the hair, then it could be a nit. If you do find nits, there is a good chance you have lice bugs too. Nits can not appear by themselves.

Live lice can range in size from 2-4 mm. The baby lice or nymphs are extremely small, about the size of a period. They will be transparent and are often extremely difficult to see. The adults are tan to grayish-white in color and like a chameleon, can camouflage to fit their surroundings! They live flat on the scalp and are also difficult to see.