Hair Lice Repelling Sprays and Treatments - The Scoop on Keeping Your Child's Hair Lice-Free

Head Lice. UUGH! Just saying those words makes me start to itch. The thought of those tiny bugs nesting and hatching in my child's hair makes me want to vomit. For real. I might have to burn my house to the ground if we ever have a lice infestation. So far, so good - we've avoided lice. But from what I hear, there is a lice situation brewing in schools across the country. So it's just a matter of time before my child is exposed. But here's my question: Is there any way to avoid contracting lice? Not to mention: How does lice spread? And how can I keep those bugs out of my kids' hair and my house?

 

Jill Taft, founder of LiceLogic (a line of safe and natural lice treatment and lice prevention products for the whole family), had the answers for me. LiceLogic is part of the Logic Product Group - a collection of gentle, safe and natural products for families, pets and the home. All products are biodegradable, hypoallergenic, eco-friendly and made in the USA.

 

So here goes - everything you've ever wanted to know about lice and - most importantly - how to keep your kids from getting lice. Halleluiah! {{ITCHY YET!?}}

 

1. Are people with dirty, greasy hair more likely to contract lice?
No. Lice love nothing more than a head full of clean, fluffy hair. Our LiceLogic Repel Kit with Repel Conditioning Hair Spray will keep the lice at bay by using natural plant-based enzymes as part of our Triple Shield Effect Regimen.

 

2. Do lice repellent sprays really work? Yes! Our LiceLogic Conditioning Hair Sprays are a perfect example. Lice are repelled by the powerful combination of LiceLogic's proprietary enzyme and essential oils we put in all of our lice repel products. The lice simply view anything coated in our repel products as a toxic environment and do not want to go near it or stay near it.

 

3. How can a spray or shampoo + conditioner REALLY repel lice? Sounds too good to be true. Can you explain the science behind it?

Lice make formidable opponents because they are protected by strong exoskeletons - hardened shells that cover them like a suit of armor. The surface of every insect's exoskeleton is covered with a waxy, water-repellant patina known as the cuticle. This outer coating protects the insect from harm, and has long been an obstacle for traditional pesticide's effectiveness - since the chemicals must penetrate the cuticle in order to affect the insect. Since we know lice employ enzymes to escape their exoskeletons, we have formulated our LiceLogic line by utilizing cultured plant based enzymes that mimic those found in nature which have the power to dismantle the armor of a louse instantly. LiceLogic’s proprietary enzyme digests the insect's waxy cuticle on contact and dismantles their exoskeleton - effectively forcing insects into immediate molting in which the protective shell is stripped, their nervous system is exposed, and as a result they die. LiceLogic has been independently tested by Katie Shepherd who heads the renowned Shepherd Institute.  Katie Shepherd, is recognized as one of the top lice experts in the world. Today LiceLogic is used by professional lice removal companies around the world and at the Shepherd Institute. Click HERE to view an overview of the study.

 

4. Can lice fly or jump?
No. Lice can only crawl and travel from strand to strand of hair. If they sense danger, they will let go and fall off the hair. Lice do not have wings and cannot fly.

 

5. Can a person automatically get lice from being near someone who has lice?
No. However, if someone in your family is exposed to lice you should do a thorough check of each family member’s hair and scalp. It can happen that one or more family members contract lice, while others are completely unaffected.

 

6. Is it possible to treat a lice infestation by coating the hair in a greasy substance overnight?
No! Though some people report success using greasy substances like olive oil and mayonnaise to “suffocate” lice, this method is really not the best way to get rid of an infestation. Our LiceLogic line uses natural enzymes to target and destroy lice and nits, putting an end to the cycle of head lice infestation that occurs when even a few lice or nits survive and are left in the hair.

 

7. Is it possible to get rid of lice with a single shampooing treatment as promised by some products?
No. If it were so simple, lice would not be such a large, enduring and common problem. It is necessary to use a sturdy metal nit comb in conjunction with all lice shampoos, whether natural or pesticide-based, because nits are glued to the hair and need to be manually removed.

 

8. Is the plastic nit comb that comes with a standard OTC lice treatment strong enough to remove all nits?
No. Cheap plastic nit combs break easily when pulled across thicker hair. Oftentimes, the teeth bend and therefore cannot eliminate lice infestation effectively. Having a strong metal nit comb is a must and will also help cut down on treatment time. A metal comb is also a greener choice, as it is reusable and recyclable.

 

9. Are there products that treat nits in addition to lice?
Yes! Our LiceLogic Clear & Free Shampoo was independently tested and shown to kill both lice and nits on contact. Nits that came into contact with our LiceLogic Clear & Free Shampoo were rendered non-viable and did not go on to hatch.

 

10. Do I have to use a pesticide-based treatment to treat lice?
No. In fact, many studies have shown that many lice are increasingly resistant to pesticides. An enzyme-based lice treatment shampoo is a better alternative, as lice cannot build up immunity to natural enzymes. Because they contain no pesticides, enzyme-based shampoos can be used as often as needed until the problem is gone.

 

11. Can lice live on dogs or other family pets?
No. Lice are specific to a species. Lice that infest humans can only be transmitted between humans. Animals have their own species of lice that prefer to inhabit their fur.

 

12. Are lice dangerous?
No. You might find them scary, but they are not dangerous. The are only a gross nuisance for most people. However, the pesticides used in common OTC lice treatment products and also found in prescribed head lice treatment products can be dangerous. They are thought to be linked to the development of cancers, seizures and other terrible conditions in some children. These pesticides are absorbed into the blood stream. They are absolutely not necessary for effective lice treatment and should be avoided.

How to Boost Your Immunity: Easy Tips & Tricks to Fight Cold and Flu Season for the Entire Family

I don't know about you, but I'm TERRIFIED of my children bringing home what I like to call the "First Week of School Cooties". We've *somehow* managed to stay healthy all summer - and then the kids enter school (aka The Cootie Kingdom) and before you even know what's happening, they've got a runny nose & fever.. or worse. In my community, Hand Foot & Mouth disease is spreading like wild fire. Nice. They bring that junk home and then we're all down for the count. So how can we build up our immune systems?

Leading health MD Dr. Christopher Hobbs from Rainbow Light has created his top 10 tips to boost your immune system and give you an edge on fighting flu this fall. With over 30 years in the fields of holistic, natural health, Dr. Hobbs helps his patients and readers look and feel their best every day.

 

Dr. Hobbs' Top 10 Tips to Boost Immunity
Easy, effective tips & tricks to fight cold/flu season for the entire family!

1. Get regular exercise. Regular exercise helps condition resistance to infections by circulating blood and immune cells.
2. Practice hydrotherapy. After exercise, get into a cool swimming pool or shower to help circulate surface immunity. Hydrotherapy has been practiced in many cultures for at least 2,000 years to help maintain and restore health.
3. Sleep is vital. In one study, the cold virus was swabbed into two groups of volunteers. One group was allowed eight hours sleep, while the other was restricted to less than seven hours. The latter group was three times more likely to contract a respiratory infection (Cohen et al, 2009).
4. Address symptoms early. If you start feeling under the weather, try an herbal remedy with herbs researched for immune support (elderberry, andrographis, berberine) like Rainbow Light® Counter Attack™ Immuno-Response to bolster immunity and reduce symptom severity.
5. Try adding immune-boosting products and nutrients into your diet.
6. Limit sugar and processed foods. These items can have a negative effect on your health, especially when immunity is compromised.
7. Incorporate garlic into dishes. Fresh garlic has natural immune-boosting qualities. Try to incorporate it into dishes, particularly if you aren't feeling well.
8. Take a daily multivitamin. It's difficult to get all of our daily nutrients from food. Fill gaps in your diet through a multivitamin to get what you need for optimal health - Rainbow Light has a great variety of multivitamins for the entire family.
9. Drink hot green tea. It contains compounds that help strengthen resistance.
10. Get fresh air. Dress warmly and venture outdoors, even if only for a short, brisk walk. The fresh air invigorates and boosts natural defenses.

Dr. Christopher Hobbs, Ph.D., L.Ac., A.H.G., Director at Rainbow Light - With over 30 years of experience in the health space and as a licensed herbalist at Rainbow Light, Dr. Hobbs has immense experience in the specialties of vitamins, holistic health medicine, natural products, organic, wellness and diet/weight loss and has worked closely with clients to help them achieve optimal health. Following a "whole, simple and nutritious" diet approach, Dr. Hobbs actively motivates clients to participate in personally designed health plans while educating clients on the immense benefits of a clean diet outlook. Hobbs has authored 25 books, including Herbal Remedies for Dummies and Women's Herbs, Women's Health. He shares his knowledge of herbal medicine with consumers and educators all over the world through lectures, and utilized his expertise in this field to found the Institute for Natural Products Research. He also serves as a consultant to the herb industry.

Life Hacks - School Lunch Edition

Top 5 School Lunch Nutritional Hacks

With kids headed back to school, it’s more important than ever to support their healthy development and give them every possible advantage in the classroom.

 

On top of ensuring the kiddos complete their homework every day and make it out the door on time, parents are now more focused than ever on the importance of proper nutrition in their diet. However, giving children a once-a-day vitamin may not be the best route anymore as research has shown that nutrients from natural sources (ahem, real whole foods) are more readily absorbed and utilized by their growing bodies.

 

Hurried parents who pack their kids’ lunches every day may find it a bit frustrating to keep it both healthy and tasty, especially for those picky eaters. Shane Griffin, the CEO of Whole Life Balance – an international nutritional coaching company – has worked with many parents who have faced this same struggle.

 

Shane’s solution? Try sneaking nutrients into your kids’ food with these 5 school lunch nutritional hacks!

 

(Shane has no financial affiliation with any brands mentioned below – they are just healthy recommended options)

 

 

1.       Utilize Powdered foods: Powdered whole foods have recently made their way into the market, and they are an excellent tool for parents whose kids are picky eaters. Say your kid craves Mac n’ Cheese every week - the boxed versions have little nutrition on their own. By adding Activz’s powdered carrots and pumpkin into your own creation, you’re giving your kid a tasty treat while greatly boosting the nutritional value of an otherwise unhealthy meal. Check out this delicious recipe here.  

2.       Embrace the superfruit fad: “Superfruit” is an overused term these days, but it came to light for a good reason:  Some fruits just pack a bigger nutritional punch than others. One of my favorite newcomers is camu camu, a fruit straight out the Amazon Rainforest with 30X the Vitamin C of an orange and 10X the antioxidant capacity of acai. Immune-boosting Vitamin C is especially important with kids headed back into the classroom, as research shows that 164 million school days are missed yearly due to infectious diseases. So parents, try sneaking vitamin C into this tasty salad with some Amaçari – a 100% whole food camu camu supplement - to support their good health.

3.       Go lean or go home: Not all meats are created equal, but they are a great source of protein that every growing body craves. A great way to boost the nutritional value of any school lunch is to substitute leaner meats into the mix. Try using ground turkey instead of beef in your meatloaf or meatballs, or if you’re making tacos try substituting pork ribs for the ground beef you’re accustomed to. If your kid loves chicken, skip the fried version for a nice organic boneless, skinless alternative. Remember, proper seasoning is important to keep the flavor consistent!

4.       Bake in the goodness: Most kids are fans of baked treats, but they don’t have to know how the cookie is made – they just care how it tastes! If you’re cooking muffins or cookies, try using organic applesauce as the base. Then, toss in some ground flaxseed or wheat germ into the batter to boost the nutritional content. If you’re feeling extra bold, adding in pureed squash, zucchini or banana to really give it a healthy lift. Substituting healthy alternatives like these will teach your kids that tasty doesn’t have to mean unhealthy!

5.       Blend in a nutritional boost: Smoothies can be your best friend, and give you a chance to really provide whole food nutrients in the tastiest way possible. As a base, use organic milk or a dairy alternative like rice or almond milk. Load up the smoothie with spinach, berries, and a banana for sweetness. Remember, Omega-3’s are a vital part of your kid’s brain development, so add in some of Karlene Karst’s Sea-liocous Omega-3’s to create the ultimate powerhouse smoothie!