I’m sitting in a chair at my hair salon getting my hair done. My incredible stylist is painstakingly highlighting half of my head when she pauses. She has a weird look on her face and then looks at me. She’s found a bug in my hair. No big deal, right? We laugh it off because she saw it for a moment and then it was gone with no others to be found. Must have been a fruit fly.
Narrator: But it wasn’t a fruit fly, dear reader.
I drove home (with a fantastic blowout, I might add) and remembered my daughter complained of an itchy scalp just that morning. Once I got home, I began checking everyone’s scalp. But, I didn’t really know what to look for! I saw something that may have been a louse on one of my kids’ heads but wasn’t sure. When my husband arrived home, he also began checking everyone’s head and we confirmed: we had lice.
Here’s what I did next:
- Completely panicked. I did not pass go, I did not collect $200. I went straight to crazy town.
- Went to the pharmacy and spent $70 on over the counter treatments.
- Spent about 4 hours that night combing through everyone’s hair and following the over the counter medication instructions.
- Woke up the next day to find that the over the counter treatments did NOT work and then went back to step 1.
In my anxiety-induced stupor, I remembered a rumor about a clinic somewhere that can help with lice. I took to google.
Because people don’t really talk about having lice, I had to rely on my own research. I called them (on a Saturday morning) and was able to book appointments for all of my family members that afternoon. They have locations in Concord, Hampstead, Nashua and Portland, ME so honestly, it was perfect. I would have driven to Canada at this point.
What to expect at the Lice Clinics of America
We were all feeling pretty fragile when we pulled up to the clinic. It was a nondescript, private building where we could walk right in and feel comfortable. We filled out some paperwork and the amazing clinician helped ease our worries immediately. Then, we started the process.
- Each person was checked for lice. We all had it, I couldn’t believe it.
- Next was the Airallé® treatment. This is the signature treatment method of the Lice Clinics of America that kills 99.2% of lice eggs. It is the only FDA cleared medical device for the treatment of lice and involves zero chemicals. It felt like a gentle blow dry, honestly. My kids had no problem sitting through it at all. It also helped that the clinic provided entertainment.
- Then, the clinician carefully combed through our hair. Depending on the type of hair you have, this takes between 30 and 60 minutes.
- Lastly, they apply the special oil that kills anything that might be left. This is not a chemical or a pesticide. It’s actually a common oil found in conditioner, but just in a super concentrated amount.
- We left in a shower cap with instructions to wash out when we got home. We were lice free.
The treatment at Lice Clinics of America is 99% effective and they guarantee it for 1 month.
It worked for all members of my family and none of us needed to be retreated. We literally arrived with lice on Saturday afternoon and left without it a few hours later. Needless to say, I slept really well that night and so did my kids.
Things you must know:
- We paid for the treatments with our HSA card. It wasn’t cheap but neither are over the counter treatments. And honestly, the peace of mind I had leaving the clinic that Saturday afternoon was worth every penny.
- While we went for the FULL treatment, there are other options depending on your budget. Their products are unmatched. If you are on a budget and are mindful with a comb, you can purchase their oils and combs to complete the treatment at home. You will still be miles ahead of anything you can find at the pharmacy.
- Lice is something we should talk about more. It happens! My family showers very regularly. We care deeply for our children, prioritize hygiene, and yet we all got lice. There’s a stigma here and there doesn’t have to be. Lice Clinics of America are out there doing the good work not only of mitigating the lice problem but offering education.
- Lice Clinics of America offers a membership program. Does your child’s day care often have lice outbreaks? Does your child have the kind of hair that would be really hard to comb out? You should consider this! $10/month for an individual membership and just $20/month for a whole family. Read about the details and what’s included here.
If you have lice, don’t panic. Truly. There is help out there available to you. Mention Seacoast Moms and you’ll get 10% off of your services at Lice Clinics of America’s locations in Concord, Hampstead, Nashua and South Portland, ME.
