Q. How did my child get head lice?

A. Head lice are spread by head-to-head contact or by sharing combs, hats, hair accessories, a pillow or sleeping bag. The lice do NOT fly or jump from head to head. You can’t get them from pets, only from other humans. Having head lice does not mean a child is dirty; in fact, lice prefer clean hair.

Q. How can I get rid of head lice?

A. Just shampooing and combing your child’s hair will not do the job. But some head lice products contain toxic chemicals and must be used with care. Non-toxic X-PEL Anti-Lice Shampoo & Conditioner is a combination lice treatment, shampoo and conditioner all in one. To get rid of head lice and lice eggs, you simply shampoo your child’s hair with X-PEL, leave it in for 5 minutes, comb, rinse, and repeat.

Q. Why not just use “wet combing”?

A. When you use X-PEL you do “wet comb” the hair. But shampooing first with X-PEL makes the hair easier to comb. Adult lice come out more easily and nits are easier to remove. In addition, X-PEL works to repel lice, preventing reinfestation; wet combing does not.

Q. How fast does X-PEL work?

A. It takes about 10 minutes to treat your child’s head lice with X-PEL. Using X-PEL to prevent head lice takes about the same amount of time as washing the hair with any other shampoo.

Q. How can I make sure the head lice don’t come back?

A. The most important thing is to make sure you comb out all the lice eggs, or nits, after shampooing with X-PEL. Even better, use X-PEL instead of your regular shampoo for 2-3 weeks. X-PEL turns a child’s head into a lice-repelling environment so if stray eggs do hatch, the lice will quickly leave the child’s head and die. And if your child is re-exposed to another child with head lice while you’re still using X-PEL, she will not be reinfested.

Q. How can I make sure the whole family doesn’t get head lice?

A. If one child has been infested with head lice, you can protect the rest of the family by having them all use X-PEL preventively. Do be sure to wash the infested child’s bedding (including pillows) and headwear to get rid of any lice eggs, too.

Q. Is X-PEL safe and non-toxic?

A. Yes. X-PEL is an FDA registered homeopathic remedy for head lice. It is safe for pregnant and lactating women, for individuals with asthma and other allergies, and it will do no harm to animals or the environment.

Q. What’s the difference between lice and nits?

A. Lice are the live insects you see moving about in your child’s hair. Nits are lice egg cases; even after the eggs hatch, the cases may remain stuck to the hair.

Q. Why do schools have a “no-nit” policy?

A. While the presence of nits may not necessarily mean a child is still infested, it is the easiest way for a teacher or nurse to see if the infestation has been cleared away. Combing out nits is easy to do when you’ve shampooed your child’s hair with X-PEL.

Q. Can I use X-PEL as often as needed for head lice prevention?

A. Yes. X-PEL is safe for daily use! And it leaves hair so soft, shiny and manageable, you may even decide to use it as your child’s regular shampoo.

Q. Where can I get more information on head lice and lice treatments?

A. The Internet is a great source of information on treating head lice, but many sites tell you only one side of the story (theirs!) Here are some sources for information that is both authoritative and impartial: 

For anatomy of the louse and general medical info on head lice, see:

http://www.jcu.edu.au/school/phtm/PHTM/staff/rsres.htm

On the safety (or lack of it) of ingredients like lindane, malathion and pyrethrins, check out:

http://www.fda.gov/bbs/topics/ANSWERS/2003/ANS01205.html

http://www.fda.gov/medwatch/SAFETY/2003/03APR_PI/Ovide_
Pl.pdfint-pediatrics.org/PDF/Volume%2017/17-4/209-212.pdf

On how lice are becoming resistant to some commonly-used remedies, go to:

http://www.pharmj.com/Editorial/19991016/clinical/headlice.html

http://evolution.berkeley.edu/evosite/evo101/IIIC1aRandom.shtml

If you would like to suggest other good links, e-mail them to:
webmaster@x-pelheadlice.com

©2009 Dermedics Laboratories
90 Oliver Terrace, Shelton, CT 06484 (203) 373-1309