The Texas Lice Squad Press Release

Press Release – For Immediate Release
Contact: Penny Warner, R.N.
281-2 281281-261-5423

HOUSTON—(Dec. 9, 2008)—School children may go back to class in January with more than their new sweaters and shoes. There’s a good chance they might return with something they can share with their classmates—head lice.

This winter could be booming for the blood sucking, six-legged insects that survive by attaching themselves to a scalp. During Christmas break, many children are more social and have more contact with playmates, thus increasing the chance for spreading lice. Combine that with the increase of insecticide resistant lice and it could mean a rough winter for parents, said Penny Warner, R.N., owner of the Texas Lice Squad, the only professional lice removal business in the state. There are more than 12 million reported cases of head lice in the U.S. annually.

“Every winter we see a large increase in business after the winter break and we expect this year to be even worse,” she said. “Although lice do not pose medical problems, it is a terrible nuisance for families. Any medical problems associated with head lice are usually caused by the different products or home remedies family use to try and eradicate the problem.”

Over the past few years, Warner has seen a noticeable increase in the number of children with live lice, even thought their parents have used the pediatrician and school recommended shampoo to rid their scalps of the tiny bugs. Lice are getting heartier and children are returning to school after a shampoo, only to find that they are still infested. Even older students and adults seem to be getting lice more often than in the past, she said. She recently treated a 74-year-old grandmother with lice. Her youngest client to date was only 5 months old.

“Lice mainly target the 3- to 11-year-olds,” Warner said. “In this age group, when children are playing together, their heads often touch. And that’s how some parents get lice—by snuggling with their children.”

There is no way to totally prevent getting lice, but there are ways to limit your child’s chances, she said. Here are some tips from Warner, a former ICU nurse who used to make house calls for lice removal:

• Keep children’s hair pulled back
• Educate them to not touch heads with other children
• Do not share brushes
• Carefully check a child’s hair every week for lice

If a child does complain of itchiness or you see a live bug, Warner does not recommend using the shampoos because they are made of chemicals/pesticides and are not effective. Instead, she tells her clients, the hair must be combed meticulously until the lice and eggs are gone—a 2 week, or longer, process if done at home.

“This arduous process is enough to drive entire families crazy. I’ve had grown women break down in tears after trying to rid their children of lice. We get it done in one afternoon here and we save families from a lot of unnecessary stress.”

That’s why Warner started her own business three years ago and will soon be expanding to other majors cities in Texas. For more information please visit https://www.texaslicesquad.com/