Perhaps one of the worst things that can happen to a person is for their home to get infested with some form of insect. Even worse if their body becomes infested with a parasite such as lice, fleas, or ticks. Not only can an infestation of lice be itchy, but the discomfort can cause lack of sleep and other emotional distress.
As such, we have created this guide to highlight the differences between lice, fleas, and ticks, as well as how to prevent these pesky parasites from bothering you and your loved ones.
Lice are tiny, wingless insects that feed on the human scalp. This results in extreme itching for the host. It is particularly common among kids, spreading from scalp to scalp without abandon. It is the bane of many parents, as it can be incredibly difficult to deal with.
Adult lice are about the size and shape of sesame seeds, and lice eggs resemble small white or yellowish specks. Unlike dandruff flakes, they cannot be brushed or rubbed out of the hair. They are frequently and mistakenly associated with poor hygiene—hygiene is not a factor at all lice’s transmission. All that matters is that two people have managed to get their heads close enough together to allow the lice to move from one person to the other.
A lice removal specialist can perform head checks to confirm whether your family has head lice. The wonderful thing is that treatment is simple and fast at a professional lice removal clinic.
Fleas and Ticks
Fleas are tiny parasites that feed on the blood of their hosts, which are usually furry mammals. This means that they can live on the fur of your pets if they’re exposed to fleas in the wilderness or to other animals that have them.
Despite their tiny size, fleas are capable of causing quite a bit of discomfort, leaving small, red, itchy bumps from their bites.
Ticks, on the other hand, live out in nature on the skin of wild animals. They can be found in shrubs and other forms of wild vegetation, and can transfer to both humans and animals. They attach to the skin of humans and wild animals by burying their heads into the flesh, feeding on the blood for hours.
If not removed, they will fall off on their own, but not before leaving a welt or bite that is itchy or sore. Ticks are also responsible for a number of diseases, such as Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever and Lyme disease.
Prevention and Treatment
Preventing fleas and ticks is different from preventing lice. For lice, the best way to prevent infestation (in your children, in particular) is to make sure they avoid head-to-head contact, and to keep your child’s hair in a ponytail or braid in order to prevent uninvited pests from grabbing onto loose hair. Fleas, on the other hand, are prevented by closely monitoring your pets and giving them flea prevention medication. To prevent ticks, it’s important to wear appropriate clothing when hiking or in nature, such as long sleeves or pants that protect the skin.
Lice Removal Clinic in Orlando, Savannah, and Jacksonville
At Fresh Heads Lice Removal, we are an award-winning, science-based lice treatment center with locations in Orlando, Savannah, and Jacksonville. If you need help getting rid of lice that are bothering your family, book your appointment today.
Schools Without Lice
At Fresh Heads Lice Removal, our mission is to get rid of lice in schools across the United States. We’ve partnered with the Lice Clinics of America to create the Schools Without Lice program. Through this program, we provide school nurses and teachers with free screenings, resources, and treatments. Together, we can have schools without lice!