Dandruff vs. Head Lice
Having an itchy head is never a great feeling but thinking it’s head lice can make it even worse. Often unless dandruff has been a past problem lice is one of the first concerns on our mind when our scalps begin to itch. Thinking you have head lice when it’s really just dandruff can cause a lot of unnecessary stress. That is why it’s important to know the different signs of head lice and dandruff.
What is Dandruff?
Dandruff is a common condition that causes the skin on the head to flake and in many cases itching. It can be caused by a variety of things from dry skin and not shampooing enough to irritated oily skin and a sensitivity to hair care products. Dandruff only affects those with the condition and is not in any way contagious or transferable.
What are Head Lice?
Head lice are small insects that attach to human hosts’ hair and feed off their blood. They attach to the hair and lay their eggs near the scalp. Unlike common belief a lice infestation is not a sign of poor hygiene or unclean living environment, just that you came in contact with another infested person. Head lice are spread by direct contact from host to host and are transferable from one person to another.
The Difference in Symptoms?
While both dandruff and head lice cause an itchy scalp that’s really where their similarities end. The itching dandruff causes is caused by dry, flakey skin and often the clumps of skin can be felt in the hair. While the itching caused by lice is from the moving bugs. Occasionally lice can be felt moving in the hair. Signs of head lice include itching and rash or redness around the neck, ears, and shoulders. As well as visible lice and nits upon inspection. Dandruff symptoms include white flakes that fall from the hair, oily or dry scalp, and scaly skin on the scalp.
How to Treat Dandruff?
Dandruff can usually be treated very easily. For mild cases it is best to start by simply washing the hair with regular shampoo daily to prevent the build up of oils and cells. If this doesn’t work switch to a medicated dandruff shampoo. There are several different types of dandruff shampoos and it may take awhile to find the one best suited for your hair. Be sure to follow the directions for the shampoo. You can also help by following a healthier diet, getting more sun, and limiting the amount of hair styling products you use.
How to Treat Head Lice?
Head lice may seem a bit more daunting than dandruff, but it can be just as easy to treat. With Lice Clinics of America, we can treat it faster than dandruff! Our signature AirAllé device uses heat to rid lice and nits in just one hour! Our trained technicians are experts in getting rid of lice and our treatment is backed by our lice free guarantee! The AirAllé device is state of the art and rids not just lice but super lice and nits too!
Don’t be stuck itching your head and wondering if it’s dandruff or lice. Know the signs and be ready to take them on! Whether it’s dandruff or head lice be prepared and confident that you can tackle any stressful itch.
If you have any questions or need a head lice removal treatment, don’t hesitate to contact us. At Lice Clinics of America – Chandler, which proudly serves Chandler, Gilbert and surrounding areas, we are here to help! Our heated removal process guarantees to remove head lice in 1 quick and safe treatment. Let your kids and family members get back to the things they enjoy! Call us today to schedule an appointment at (602) 362-7499!
Post Lice Treatment Itching
Let’s be real; there is nothing fun about having a case of lice. Similarly, there’s nothing quite like the feeling of relief once your lice treatment is over. But if your head still itches after lice treatment, this could send you right back into the panic and stress you just rid yourself of. Did your lice come back? The experts of Lice Clinics of America – Chandler are here to remind you to stay calm. There are a variety of reasons why your head still itches after lice treatment. Here we will cover the four primary reasons that your head still itches after head lice treatment, including:
- Dry Scalp from Treatment
- Psychosomatic Itching
- Healing Louse Bites
- Incomplete Treatment
We will cover each of these possible sources of continued itching and provide you with options for treating your itchy head after lice treatment. If you still have questions or concerns, feel free to visit our website.
Dry Scalp from Lice Treatment
One of the most common sources of your head still itching after lice treatment is from a dry or irritated scalp from treatment. All over-the-counter lice treatments contain a variety of irritants – from chemicals to salt-based compounds – that cause irritation and drying on the scalp.
However, we at Remedy’s strongly advise you avoid these treatments due to the harmful effects of these chemicals. Many are considered carcinogenic and unsafe. Children, women who are pregnant or nursing, and people with severe allergies or asthma should avoid use. At LCA we have a range of different at-home lice solutions that are non-toxic and still very effective. If you’ve already used any of the over the counter remedies and your head still itches after treatment, there are a few simple solutions for these issues.
How To Fix It:
Moisturizing & Dandruff Shampoos: If you find that your scalp is dry after treatment, an extremely affordable, long-term treatment is trying out a shampoo and conditioner designed to hydrate the scalp. It’s important to note one thing, however. Dandruff shampoos often contain certain ingredients, which in some people can further irritate the scalp further. This can be an escalated risk for children.
Natural Oils: As a natural remedy to an itchy scalp, explore the variety of oils that can be massaged into the scalp to help moisturize the skin. Some recommendations include coconut oil and argon oil. Both have a variety of uses, are inexpensive, and have minimal side effects.
Deep Conditioning Treatments: There are a variety of deep conditioning treatments on the market, many of which can be purchased at drug stores or beauty supply stores. Look for deep conditioning treatments that nourish the scalp and use all-natural ingredients to avoid further irritation.
Psychosomatic Itching
Have you ever watched a documentary or a video online about insects and instantly felt like you were covered in bugs? Similarly, your skin is probably crawling right now just from reading about lice! Chances are, you’re experiencing psychosomatic itching which many psychologists classify as a panic-stricken condition. Simply put, psychosomatic itching is a manifestation of anxiety and paranoia happening actively on the human body. Psychosomatic itching can be a frustrating experience that you just cannot wait to get rid of, luckily there are some strategies to address it.
How to Fix It:
Since psychosomatic itching is literally a phenomenon in your head and not on your head, it can be difficult to treat. Since psychosomatic itching is based in anxiety, we recommend the same approaches many take at combating anxiety, including:
Grounding Techniques: Many people with anxiety work to focus on other feelings in their body using all five senses. Take time to focus on things around you that you are feeling, smelling, tasting, seeing and hearing. By distracting yourself with these other senses, you can train your mind to avoid the psychosomatic itching.
Self-Awareness: Take a second to recognize that this feeling is likely all in your head. Chances are, if you didn’t start itching until after you thought about lice, then you can know you are okay.
A Quick Lice Check: Of course, you can always ease your mind with a follow-up lice check. Once you can confirm that your lice are gone, your psychosomatic itching should cease instantly.
Healing Louse Bites
Lice are annoying little parasitic insects that get nutrients from human blood. To get the blood, they bite the scalp. Much like mosquito and other insect bites, these bites can cause irritation. Growing up you may have heard you mom always say that the only way to stop the itching is to stop scratching. We all know that’s easier said than done! Mom was absolutely right on this strategy, because itching can cause the louse bite to reopen, potentially get infected, and take longer to heal.
How to Stop Scratching and Fix It:
- Low-dose Antihistamines
- Icing the wounds or adding a cold compress to the scalp and or affected areas
- Use Witch Hazel. Witch Hazel is a natural astringent available at most drug stores and grocery stores. Witch hazel is an all-natural solution that is used for soothing skin, reducing inflammation, and ceasing the urge to itch.
Bad News: You Might Still Have Lice
Now it is time to discuss a possible source of the itching that you’ve been dreading, you might still have lice. This harsh reality is an increasingly common issue. Since lice are becoming resistant to most over the counter lice treatments, you could easily still have lice. Many over the counter treatments are no longer effective against today’s super lice. Even if you chose a nit-picking technique or use a heated air treatment, lice reproduce quickly, and missing even a few nits could mean the population re-surges.
How to Fix It:
If your first lice treatment didn’t work and you’re tired of the stress and hassle of head lice, we recommend seeking professional help from the lice removal experts. Lice Clinics of America uses an FDA-cleared heated air treatment to effectively eliminate all lice and eggs, to prevent a re-infestation. Our specially trained professionals know the proper techniques for getting rid of lice without harmful, irritating chemicals. Our treatment has a 99% effectiveness rate, so, you can rest assured that you’ve treated your lice infestation fully and can get back to life as planned. If for any reason your lice treatment is not completely effective the first time, we offer a free re-treatment to truly ease your head lice problem.
If you have any questions or need a head lice removal treatment, don’t hesitate to contact us. At Lice Clinics of America – Chandler, which proudly serves Chandler, Gilbert and surrounding areas, we are here to help! Our heated removal process guarantees to remove head lice in 1 quick and safe treatment. Let your kids and family members get back to the things they enjoy! Call us today to schedule an appointment at (602) 362-7499!
Head Lice Don’t Hop Like the Easter Bunny
Head lice are annoying little creatures that often plague our homes at the most inopportune times. The thought of head lice often is enough to make peoples head begin to itch. Their ability to spread and infest entire families or even schools is frightening and causes a great deal of anxiety, but the fact is if we took care to learn their habits, we could do a lot to prevent their spread.
Lice Don’t Hop
Lice are only like the Easter Bunny in the fact that they bring eggs with them. Head lice will not hop along to the next host or jump head to head, they can only crawl. You must come in contact with the lice for them to latch on and infest. Direct head to head contact is the easiest and most common way head lice spread. Coming in contact with a surface or object the lice are on can lead to an infestation but is less likely as lice can not live long without a host to feed off.
How to Prevent the Spread
If lice aren’t hopping down the bunny trail but instead are crawling it makes preventing them much easier! By keeping our head and hair out of contact with others we can help prevent the lice from crawling in and infesting. Be cautious of your personal space and limit direct contact during outbreaks. Don’t share items or clothing that touch your head or hair. Hats, hoodies, jackets, brushes, and hair accessories are all examples of items that could potentially transfer lice. Talk to your family and children about the importance of keeping these items to themselves. Wear hair up in ponytails, updos, or hats to keep it out of the way.
How to Treat Lice
Should the lice find a way in, it’s best to remember to keep calm and that it’s not your fault! Head lice happens to everyone and we are here to help! At Lice Clinics to America we will hop to it and get you the best care and advice! Our signature AirAlle device removes both lice and their eggs (nits) in 60 minutes or less. It’s chemical free and best of all is backed by our lice free guarantee! Technicians are trained, knowledgeable, and ready to help you get back to your everyday life!
If you have any questions or need a head lice removal treatment, don’t hesitate to contact us. At Lice Clinics of America – Chandler, which proudly serves Chandler, Gilbert and surrounding areas, we are here to help! Our heated removal process guarantees to remove head lice in 1 quick and safe treatment. Let your kids and family members get back to the things they enjoy! Call us today to schedule an appointment at (602) 362-7499!
