Frequently Ask Questions About Head Lice2023-01-25T23:03:07+00:00
Frequently Asked Questions About Head Lice from Schooltime Products
Frequently Asked Questions About Head Lice from Schooltime Products

YOU ASK & WE ANSWER

Frequently Asked Questions About Head Lice

YOU ASK & WE ANSWER

Frequently Asked Questions About Head Lice

BioSafe Technologies, Inc. is the manufacturer of the pesticide free Schooltime® Shampoo, tested to successfully meet today’s requirements for a complete lice control formulation. The product will quickly eliminate lice and their eggs and control rapid re-infestation from newly hatched eggs and daily exposure to highly infested environments.

Question 1: What are the ingredients in Schooltime® Head Lice Shampoo?

Ingredients: Filtered Water, Lauryl Glucoside (from palm oil), Polyethylene Glycol (medical grade), Sodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate (coconut), Polysorbate 20 (coconut), Glycerin (vegetable), Glutamic Acid, N N-Diacetic Acid, Tetrasodium Salt, Phenoxyethanol, Capylyl Glycol, Isopentyldiol, Citric Acid. No Color – No Fragrance- No Animal Ingredients – Cruelty Free – No Pesticide

Head Lice Frequently Asked Questions:

Are head lice more prevalent in warmer climates?2019-07-27T15:09:09+00:00

No. The only difference a warmer climate makes is the lice are more apt to move up and down the hair shaft and lay eggs throughout the hair, while in colder climates, they generally stay closer to the scalp.

Can eggs spread a lice infestation or spread to other people?2019-07-27T15:06:59+00:00

No. Eggs cannot move and spread an infestation. Even after eggs first hatch, the baby nymphs cannot lay eggs or leave and go to another person. Newborn lice need to stay near the scalp where it is warm and they can be near a blood meal.

Can I treat in advance as a precaution?2019-08-29T19:13:20+00:00

It is advised to use Schooltime Shampoo for precaution. The product can be used as an application on dry hair to eliminate an infestation. To assure the hair remains lice free this product may also be used as a Maintenance Formulation before a lice infestation occurs or after it has been eliminated. The entire family can use it 2X per week in place of their regular shampoo to maintain lice free hair. Directions for use as a maintenance product is found on the Directions Link.

Schooltime Spray Away also is helpful to use as a leave in product to help deter lice and a light mist will also make nit combing and head checks a very smooth process for removing nits quickly before they hatch.

Can I use Schooltime® Shampoo more frequently than directed?2019-07-27T15:06:48+00:00

When used as directed, repeat applications are not necessary. However, the product is very safe for repeated use if desired. You can also use the product 2X per week on wet hair as a regular shampoo to help prevent re-infestation.
[ Product Directions

Can I use Schooltime® Shampoo on an infant or during pregnancy?2019-08-29T17:49:58+00:00

For use on children under the age of 2 we advise first consulting your pediatrician. The product may be used full strength or diluted (a small amount on wet hair).

Although Schooltime® Shampoo does not contain pesticides, pregnant women should consult with their doctor before use.

Can my pets “catch” head lice?2019-08-29T19:47:36+00:00

No. Head lice are species specific – you cannot spread head lice to your pets, nor can you “catch” animal lice from your pets.

Can someone have head lice without having symptoms?2019-07-27T15:06:40+00:00

Some people do not feel symptoms of lice, such as severe itching. Itching is due to an allergy from the lice bites and some people are not as sensitive as others.

Do African American Children get head lice?2019-07-27T15:10:02+00:00

Anyone, including African Americans, can get head lice. They are less likely to get head lice because of the shape of their individual hair strands but they are far from immune.

Do I need to spray poison in my house after using Schooltime®?2019-08-28T20:55:31+00:00

Spraying poison in the house only spreads poison to all family members and pets. Lice wish to remain on the hair, not on carpets, couches, etc. Rather thoroughly vacuum the rugs and furniture seeking any hair strands that may have fallen from the head or lice that may have accidentally fallen onto pillows.

Any item that is difficult to wash such as couch pillows or stuffed animals, may be placed in a hot clothes dryer for 15-20 minutes to kill any lice or eggs. Be certain to change and wash the bedding and clothing from all members in the household on the same day Schooltime Shampoo was applied to the hair.

Does putting mayonnaise or petroleum jelly on your head work?2019-08-29T19:27:57+00:00

Mayonnaise, Vaseline, olive oil and other remedies are messy alternatives for treating head lice. The goal of these treatments is to drown the lice. Because lice can survive for hours without breathing, these treatments are not very effective. Because mayonnaise needs refrigeration, it is likely it will spoil and could become toxic. One of the above treatments may kill some of the live lice, but none of the products remove the NITS, which eventually become live louses and the cycle continues.

How can I get rid of head lice quickly?2019-08-29T18:55:24+00:00

Thoroughly saturate dry hair with Schooltime Shampoo as directed. After rinsing apply a small amount of Schooltime to aid in combing the hair in sections. Schooltime spray away is an excellent combing aid and detangler. Follow the directions given in this site (link) for use of the shampoo and directions for combing. When completed the hair will be shiny, clean and lice and nit free!

How can I tell if I have a live lice infestation?2019-07-27T15:06:31+00:00

Aside from severe itching of the scalp, the best way to tell if a lice infestation is present is to look for eggs stuck to the hair. If little cream colored eggs are in the hair NEAR THE SCALP SURFACE, this is a clear indication that live lice are present.

**Finding eggs in the hair is NOT an indication that there are living lice in the hair if the eggs are farther from the scalp surface (more than 1/2 inch away). These eggs either already hatched or are never going to hatch.

How important is combing?2023-01-25T23:04:43+00:00

Combing helps remove lice and eggs from the hair shaft. Coming through the hair with a lice comb after using Schooltime Shampoo will help clean the hair of any remaining residues and unhatched eggs. Be certain to take small sections of hair at a time in the comb for more thorough results.

COMB DIRECTIONS PRELIMINARY LICE CHECK | COMB DIRECTIONS AFTER SHAMPOO CHECK

How much house cleaning is necessary when my child head lice?2019-08-29T17:28:35+00:00

Concentrate only on items that had direct contact with individuals suffering from head lice during the past 24 hours. Wash clothes and linens in warm water and put in dryer on high heat for at least 20 minutes.

I heard the over the counter and prescription products can be toxic to my child?2019-08-29T18:51:46+00:00

“Prescription” or “over the counter” pesticides and insecticides designed to poison lice can be toxic. These products can be absorbed directly into your child’s system through the scalp.

Examples:

Lindane: Lindane, a neurotoxin that is absorbed through the skin, is used in the prescription-only lice shampoo, Kwell. Ann Heil, a senior engineer with the Sanitation Districts of Los Angeles County, “Lindane belongs to the same family of chemicals as DDT and PCBs, which have been banned in the United States.” This chemical, which is absorbed through the skin, has been in use since the 1950s. It is created by mixing chlorine gas with benzene and filtering out the particulate solids that result. Chlorine gas is a poison and benzene is a well-known carcinogen. Lindane has been consistently listed in the top chemicals of concern by the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry. According to the Centennial Edition of the Merck Index, poisoning with lindane may occur by ingestion, inhalation, or skin absorption—all of which are possible with treatment with head lice shampoos. Possible symptoms of lindane poisoning include headache, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, tremors, weakness, convulsions, difficulty breathing, low blood oxygen levels, and circulatory collapse. Case-controlled research shows a significant association between the incidences of brain tumors in children with the use of lindane-containing lice shampoos Lindane, has been banned in more than 50 countries and in California, but is still available in the United States.

Malathion: This toxic pesticide is used in the prescription-only lice remedy “Ovide”. Malathion is a chemical that was developed by the Swiss chemical giant Ciba-Geigy back in the 1950s as an agricultural crop insecticide and for pest control in homes and gardens. Very quickly thereafter, problems began occurring. It turns out that children are especially susceptible to the effects of Malathion. Studies have shown links between regular exposure to Malathion and various human maladies, including non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, childhood leukemia, anemia, chromosome damage, and weakened immune systems. It has also been known to cause flu like symptoms and allergic reactions in children and adults alike. Malathion exposure can occur through inhalation or absorption through the skin. According to the EPA, this chemical can over stimulate the nervous system and cause nausea, dizziness, confusion, and, at very high exposures (such as those from major spills or accidents), respiratory paralysis and death.

Pyrethrums and Pyrethoids: These two non-prescription, over the counter pesticides, are used in as several lice shampoos. Pyrethrum is derived from the chrysanthemum flower and is considered a pesticide that has been deemed dangerous enough to be banned from agricultural use in food production. It may cause pneumonia, muscle paralysis, vomiting, asthma, and death due to respiratory failure. Pyrethroids, the synthetic chemical counterpart used in some lice treatments, may have similar effects. Severe allergic reaction is another common side effect associated with both pyrethrums and pyrethoids.

Is it true that itching is the first sign of head lice?2019-08-29T19:45:29+00:00

Not always. Itching is caused by an allergic reaction to the saliva that lice secrete when feeding. The saliva keeps the blood from clotting, making the feeding process easier. About half of those who get head lice are not allergic to the saliva and therefore don’t itch. Even if someone is allergic, it takes approximately two weeks to build up enough lice saliva to cause itching

What about brushes and toys?2019-08-29T17:34:58+00:00

No reason to throw them out put them in a zip lock baggie and put in freezer for 3 – 5 hours.

What about my elderly family members?2019-08-28T19:14:55+00:00

Yes, they should be checked if they have been in contact with an individual who has an active infestation. Age does not make you immune from having lice.

What are the symptoms of head lice?2019-08-29T19:43:41+00:00

Besides itching, symptoms of head lice may include a low-grade fever, swollen glands, a rash at the nape of the neck, bags under the eyes, and feeling tired. Head lice are nocturnal, meaning that they are more active at night than during the day.

What is the Shephard Method2019-08-29T18:52:53+00:00

The Shepherd Method™ is a safe, non-toxic, strand-by-strand method of nit removal developed by Katie Shepherd. Shepherd founded Lice Solutions RN, Inc. as a nonprofit 501 (c) 3 tax exempt organization whose mission is to provide community awareness, individual and group screenings and complete nit removal.

What should I do if I find head lice on my child?2019-08-29T18:59:02+00:00

Start treating your child as swiftly as possible. The sooner treatment begins, the less the chance of spreading it to others. Check family members to make sure the lice are not present. It is always helpful to prevent chances of reinfestation by contacting the appropriate person at the school or the child’s close friend to be certain they are not also infested.

What types of products should I look for when shopping?2019-08-29T19:14:35+00:00

Look for a safe, nontoxic product that will remove the lice and loosen the eggs. Purchase a good stainless steel washable comb.

The combing will assure no residues remain in the hair after the product application.

Where do head lice come from?2019-07-27T16:34:28+00:00

Head lice have probably been around since time began. Nits have even been found on the hair of Egyptian mummies when their tombs were opened. They are a human parasite and can only survive on humans, so therefore do not reside in the ground or on pets. Head lice simply travel from host to host. They are not fussy where they live as long as it is clean so they can attach their eggs.

Who is at risk of getting head lice?2019-08-29T19:50:18+00:00

Everyone is at risk. If you have contact with an infected person, you can get them. Head lice spread more easily among young people because they share their belongings more often than adults and play close together.

It’s not true that people get head lice because they do not have clean hair. Lice love clean hair because they can move more freely on the hair. Head lice are very contagious. No matter how many times you or your child takes a shower or washes his or her hair, it’s still possible to get head lice from head-to-head contact with someone who is already infested with lice. You can also get head lice if you share hats, towels, pillows, combs or brushes with someone who has head lice.

Whom should I notify if my child has lice?2019-08-28T19:04:35+00:00

Everyone who has had contact with the child in at least the last two weeks, and preferably, during the past month should be notified. Contacts should include the school nurse, daycare director, camp counselor, or other individuals in the position to assist you in notifying and checking those that your child has had contact with.

Why didn’t the products we bought at the pharmacy work?2019-08-29T19:41:05+00:00

Many products available today have been on the market for about thirty years. Because of the span of time they’ve been used and overused, lice have built up a resistance to them.

Why do you recommend covering the eyes when rinsing Schooltime® Shampoo?2019-07-27T15:07:14+00:00

Although Schooltime® Shampoo was tested very safe for eyes and skin, as with any soap or deep cleansing product, Schooltime Shampoo® may sting if it enters the eyes. Covering the eyes helps prevent soap from entering and causing discomfort or irritation.

Why does the entire family need to use Schooltime® Shampoo on the same days?2019-08-29T17:41:28+00:00

Those members who applied shampoo can become reinfested by adult lice from another family member who did not use the product. In order to clear an entire family and avoid spreading lice from one to another, all should apply Schooltime Shampoo on the same day.

Why is it important to remove all nits?2019-08-29T18:49:44+00:00

Live Nits remaining in the hair can hatch. Although most nits immediately wash out of the hair with the final rinse after using Schooltime® Shampoo as directed, any pieces of dead eggs or shells can look unsightly in the hair and may even result in your child being sent home from school by the nurse following ‘no nit’ policies enforced by their school system. Doing a comb-out while Schooltime® Shampoo is in Wet hair (before final rinsing or a small amount applied after final rinsing) or using Spray Away on Dry hair will assure all nits are removed during combing and hair is 100% clear.

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Know what the 'Essential Elements' are for effective head lice control.

Do you know the “Essential Requirements” of Head Lice Products

Schooltime® Products exceed the “Essential Requirements” for a head lice control product. Compare the list taken from ‘Control of Head Lice Infestation’ ed J.Heukelba. See how our products compare to this “Gold Standard”.

Schooltime Products for complete head lice control. - Steps for Use

Schooltime® Products Directions for Use

Complete, easy to follow directions for our shampoo, after-shampoo spray styling and detangler, and our ergonomic lice comb.

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