Carrie Madej is picky when it comes to her clients. As the owner of Nit Free Noggins, a Naperville head lice removal salon, it’s part of the job.
“People give me a crazy look when I tell them what I do, but I love it,” said Madej, who opened the Naperville salon in November. “Often my clients are in tears when they call me because they’ve tried so many types of treatments that don’t work. A big part of my job is taking the edge off and providing education.”
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, an estimated 6 million to 12 million cases of head lice infestation occur each year in the United States in children 3 to 11 years of age. Lice are spread mainly by direct head-to-head contact with a person who already has head lice.
“We treat plenty of kids, preschool to high school and college kids get lice, said Madej, who opened her first treatment center in Wheeling in 2010. “But parents and grandparents get it too. When one person has it, we check the whole family.”
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Dr. Karen Kreiling, pediatrician and founding partner of Children’s Health Partners in Naperville said the Food and Drug Administration approved treatments for head lice include both over-the-counter and prescription drugs, in the form of shampoos, creams and lotions.
“Most of our patients try shampoos like Nix or Rid,” said Kreiling. “They are easy to purchase, and along with wet combing, most people get better.”
But at Nit Free Noggins, Madej and her team use a chemical-free alternative to treat head lice called the AirAlle, a warm air device that uses heat to “dehydrate” lice eggs and any live bugs.
A session takes about 30 minutes, and then is followed by 30 to 60 minutes of combing to remove the dead lice and eggs. Treatments at the salon are $195 and there are discounts offered for families.
“When they first come to see us, everybody is scared,” Madej said. “What happens a lot of the times is parents buy an over-the-counter product, use it and think (lice) is gone, but they have missed a few eggs and then they hatch. (The infestation) could go on for months.”
While Kreiling said she’s not familiar with the AirAlle device, she said she has seen a big increase in the number of businesses that offer professional combing services for lice treatment.
“There isn’t any one thing that works overwhelmingly well, so most people try a combination of things,” said the pediatrician. “We do recommend wet combing, but I think how effective it is depends on how patient you are and how much attention to detail you put into it. The combing services can be very effective.”
Madej said along with the treatment, clients need to be educated so the treatment remains effective.
“We give them an education, so when they leave they know what to do,” Madej said. “But first and foremost, I want people to know you don’t get lice because you are dirty or because your house isn’t clean. There is nothing to be ashamed of and you shouldn’t be embarrassed.”
Jane Donahue is a freelance reporter
Nit Free Noggins
Location: 710 East Ogden Ave., Naperville
Service: They see clients by appointment, typically one family at a time. They also do in-home treatments.
Website: http://www.nitfreenoggins.com
What the schools say about head lice
District 204 policy regarding head lice from the parent handbook:
“When lice/nits are found on a child at school, that child’s parent/guardian will be informed. The child will be picked up from school by the parent. Once the child is treated for lice, the child may return to school with proof of treatment. Proof of treatment may be in the form of a physician statement, receipt for the product used, or the box top from the product used. The child will then be readmitted to class. The child will typically be back in class the next morning.”
District 203 policy regarding head lice from the parent handbook:
“Students who have been sent home with live lice or whose parents have been notified that nits have been found on their child’s head, need to check in at the health office prior to returning to class. All nits found within 1/4 inch of the scalp should be removed. Students who have been identified with live lice or nits should be treated with a pediculocide prior to returning to school.”