I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but lice are among us (confirmed cases in most of our cities/towns, just weeks into the start of the school year). This childhood phenomenon will never stop mystifying me. How do these critters stand the test of time? How do they get into kids heads in the first place? Why do we never hear of lice super spreading events in adulthood? And, after I stopped gagging at the thought of finding out lice were in our house, what would I do? Well fortunately/unfortunately for me, I have several friends who have been through it, so they’d be among my top calls. But, if you haven’t been through it and don’t know anyone who’s been through it, I’ve got you. I talked to the lice expert, Naomi Golden, Owner of Lice Aunties, part of the Lice Clinics of America network, to get you all the information you need to know as you navigate one of the truly most disgusting parts of parenthood.
Is lice more common now than when we were kids?
Yes and no. We hear about it more now because of social media and fast communication. But lice themselves have also gotten tougher. Years ago, a product called Kwell wiped them out easily, but it was pulled from the market for safety reasons. Over-the-counter treatments like Nix don’t work well anymore (these critters are an amazing example of evolution and adaptation!), and school nurses no longer do routine lice checks because their focus has shifted to more serious medical needs.
The result? Lice are considered a nuisance, not a health risk — but that means they often “fly” (ironically, lice do not fly!) under the radar.
Do lice pose a health risk?
Unlike ticks or mosquitoes, lice don’t spread disease. They’re parasites, plain and simple. Think of them like Tarzan: swinging head to head to find a host with less competition. Annoying, yes. Dangerous, no.
How do kids get lice in the first place?
It’s almost always head-to-head contact. Lice don’t jump or fly — they crawl. So kids huddling on the playground, looking at their devices together, or hugging tightly are all prime opportunities.
What should parents know to stay calm?
The biggest thing, Naomi says, is to remove the shame. Lice is not about cleanliness or parenting. “It’s no different than your child catching strep throat. The only thing it shows is that your child is social and has close friends,” she says.
Another key point: don’t waste hours cleaning your house. Lice don’t live long off the human head. If you have an hour to spare, use it to communicate with other families your child has been around. That’s what actually stops the spread.
How do you actually get rid of lice?
- Professional treatment: At Lice Aunties, they use a proprietary heat method that dehydrates both bugs and eggs in about an hour. The treatment is guaranteed and they accept FSA/HSA (good to know if you're entering open enrollment season!).
- At-home treatment: It’s possible, but it requires the right tools and a lot of patience. Lice Aunties sells a non-toxic home kit that uses dimethicone (a silicone-based oil that suffocates lice) along with professional-grade combing.
- Prevention: Essential oil–based sprays and shampoos (peppermint, tea tree, lemongrass, spearmint) make hair less attractive to lice. And do a comb-through head check every other week. Lice Aunties even offers a package where you let the pros do the checks too.
- Pro tip! If you’ve got unused FSA dollars at the end of the year, why not use it on one of these packages? You never know when it’ll come for your family, but it's highly likely it will someday.
Can lice go away untreated?
Nope. Adult lice live about 10 days, and in that time they lay more eggs. Without intervention, they’ll just keep spreading among your household and in your community.
Why don’t schools always notify parents?
Unfortunately, it’s standard operating procedure in many public schools not to send lice notices. The logic is that lice isn’t a medical issue, and schools don’t want to create panic. Private schools and preschools sometimes take a more proactive approach — some even partner with Lice Aunties for free screenings and treatments.
The bottom line
Discovering lice is gross, stressful, and time-consuming — but it’s not dangerous. And with the right tools and services, like Lice Aunties, it’s easily and quickly fixable.
