07/28/2026
HEAD LICE AND IT’S NEGATIVE SOCIAL STIGMA
Shhh, Our family has head lice and we can’t tell anybody!
An estimated 6 to 12,000,000 children a year get lice between the ages of 3 to 11 in America. Still there lies a negative social stigma placed upon our children and their parents when this happens. Bullying, shunning, social isolation and even forced absences from school occur to a child that contacts lice through no fault of their own. If other parents hear about a child having lice, this child may be stigmatized by isolating the child during lunch, disinviting them to parties and get togethers and making them feel dirty, long after the lice are treated and gone. Also misdiagnosis of head lice infestation is common because many people are not sure how to identify lice.
It’s understandable that another parent does not want their child to get lice but a lot of concerns that parents have are based on false information and I would like to clear some of these falsehoods up for you.
Hi, My name is Alana Larsen and I am a licensed cosmetologist who owns and operates “Lice Removal Simply LLC”, a local mobile lice treatment company that removes lice in the privacy of your own home in Sarasota County. After owning a beauty salon in Fair Haven NJ for 35 years and also removing lice in peoples homes, I started working for a large lice removal company here in Florida. Knowing that I could offer lice clients a much better method for treating head lice, that is quicker, non-toxic, more effective and more comfortable inspired me to start my own business. I enjoy helping people and I feel my method of treatment will make a difference in treating families at this very stressful time in their lives.
So let’s clear up some of these myths and untruths so hopefully instead of chastising these poor children and their families we can all understand this problem and maybe help them. Who knows, the next lice infestation may be on someone in your family.
1. How Are Lice Transported? Lice cannot jump or fly, they can only crawl. It’s hard for them to stay attached to things other than hair as their legs are designed to grip the hair shaft and are mostly transported by head to head contact. A small percent are transported by hats, helmets, and hairbrushes.
2. How Do I Eradicate Lice? It’s best to call a professional. A professional detailed combing with a quality lice comb and a non-pesticide product is the best and safest way to eradicate lice.
3. How Long Will It Take Before Lice Are Completely Gone? Allow 12 days. After the initial combing and treatment, the solution must be put on again on day 5 and day 13 because there are microscopic lice eggs that cannot be seen with the naked eye and must be destroyed when they develop. This follow-up treatment by the family is essential to the eradication of lice and when it is not followed the lice will continue to live.
4. Are Lice Dangerous? No. They do not carry diseases. They are parasite and live on the blood from the scalp.
5. How Long Does A Louse Live? On the head an adult louse can live 30 days (Lying 6-10 eggs a day!), if it is off the head it can only survive 24-36 hours. A nit (egg) once off the head dies quickly.
6. Are lice attracted to Dirty Hair? FALSE. Lice like clean hair, it’s easier for them to climb.
7. How can I Prevent My Child From Getting Lice? The best prevention is to do a lice check once a week using a quality lice comb to comb through the child’s hair. It’s important to catch lice early. Keeping long hair in a bun or pony tail with some gel is helpful as well.
8. Should I Report That My Child Has Lice? Reporting a lice infestation is up to the parent, however it is in everyone’s best interest to do so, this way the cycle of lice can be stopped and ensure that your child does not get lice again.
These are just some of the most common FAQ on my handout sheets. I hope they are helpful and that I have cleared up some myths and have given you a better perspective.
So what can we do to stop the negative social stigma attached to having lice? I am a firm believer in education. Maybe each school can have a support group. A group that has had lice and can now coach the child and their family on proper screening and what to do next. To assure them that they are not alone, that this is only temporary and will pass.
I hope after reading this that we now can take a more empathic approach to this condition and stop the negative social stigmas associated with getting lice. Please contact me if I may be of further help to you and/or your school.
Call Phone # 941-541-4422
