Your Child Has Head Lice. Now What? A South Florida Parent’s Guide

By Amy Graff | LouseCalls, Inc.

It’s 9:30 at night. Your child is getting ready for bed, and you notice something moving in their hair.

Or maybe you’ve just received that dreaded message from another parent: “Just wanted to let you know, we found lice.”

And suddenly, you’re scratching your own head.

Sound familiar?

If you’re a parent in Boca Raton, Delray Beach, Boynton Beach, Parkland, Coral Springs, Fort Lauderdale, or anywhere in Palm Beach or Broward County, here’s something we want you to know:

Head lice happens. And it has absolutely nothing to do with how clean your home or your children are.

At LouseCalls, we’ve been helping South Florida families deal with head lice since 2005. We’ve heard the late-night panic, answered the frantic questions, and helped parents who were convinced they needed to disinfect everything they owned.

The good news? You probably don’t need to do half the things you’re imagining.

Here’s what you really need to know.

1. First, Make Sure It’s Actually Head Lice

Before you rush out to buy every lice product on the pharmacy shelf, make sure you’re dealing with head lice.

It’s surprisingly easy to mistake dandruff, dry skin, or hair product residue for lice eggs.

Live lice are tiny, move quickly, and can be difficult to spot. Their eggs, called nits, attach firmly to individual strands of hair, usually close to the scalp.

The best places to check are behind the ears and around the nape of the neck.

A fine-toothed lice comb and good lighting can help, but identifying lice isn’t always as simple as it sounds.

Our advice? If you’re not sure what you’re seeing, have someone experienced take a look before beginning treatment.

That’s one reason LouseCalls offers professional head checks throughout South Florida.

2. Check the Family, Not Just the Child Who’s Scratching

Here’s something that surprises many parents: not everyone with head lice itches.

In fact, someone can have lice for weeks before noticing any symptoms.

Because lice spread primarily through direct head-to-head contact, it’s important to check household members and close contacts who may have been exposed.

That doesn’t mean everyone automatically needs treatment.

It means everyone should be checked carefully so you can identify who actually has lice and avoid unnecessary treatments.

And don’t forget the adults. Lice don’t check your age before moving in!

3. Don’t Turn Your House Upside Down

We’ve spoken with parents who have washed every sheet, bagged every stuffed animal, scrubbed the furniture, and practically considered moving.

Please don’t put yourself through all that.

Head lice need a human host to survive. Once separated from the scalp, adult lice generally die within a day or two.

Some reasonable cleaning makes sense:

• Wash and machine-dry bedding, towels, and clothing used by the affected person during the two days before treatment, using hot water and high heat.
• Soak recently used combs and brushes in hot water according to CDC recommendations.
• Vacuum areas where the affected person has been sitting or lying.
• Avoid sharing brushes, hats, and hair accessories until the situation is resolved.

That’s very different from disinfecting your entire home.

And please skip the pesticide sprays and foggers. They aren’t necessary for head lice and can expose your family to harmful chemicals.

Your time is better spent addressing what’s happening on your family’s heads, not worrying about every corner of your house.

4. What About School, Preschool, and Summer Camp?

South Florida families have busy schedules.

Between school, after-school activities, sports, sleepovers, and camps, children spend plenty of time together.

And that’s exactly how lice can spread.

But here’s an important distinction: lice crawl. They don’t jump, fly, or magically travel across a classroom.

Close hair-to-hair contact is the primary way lice move from one person to another.

If your child has head lice, notify the appropriate school or childcare contact and ask about its current policy.

According to the CDC, children with head lice generally do not need to be sent home early. They can return to class after beginning appropriate treatment.

Individual schools, preschools, and camps may have their own procedures, so it’s worth checking.

And remember, discovering lice doesn’t mean anyone did something wrong. It’s a common childhood problem, not a reflection of parenting or hygiene.

5. Do Swimming Pools Spread Head Lice?

Living in South Florida, we hear plenty of questions about swimming pools.

After all, between backyard pools, swim lessons, beach vacations, and pool parties, water is a big part of life here.

Here’s the surprising part.

Head lice are unlikely to spread through swimming pool water.

Lice hold tightly to hair, and they primarily spread through direct head-to-head contact.

However, chlorine at normal swimming pool levels does not reliably kill head lice.

And sharing towels, brushes, or other items that touch someone’s hair can create opportunities for transmission.

So no, a dip in the pool isn’t a lice treatment!

If you’re using a medicated lice product, follow its instructions about when hair can be washed or exposed to pool water.

6. Should You Try to Remove Lice Yourself?

You certainly can.

There are over-the-counter and prescription treatment options, as well as careful manual combing methods.

The important thing is to understand what you’re using and follow the appropriate instructions.

Some products kill live lice but not all eggs. Others have different retreatment requirements.

And those popular home remedies involving mayonnaise or olive oil? The CDC says there isn’t scientific evidence that they’re effective lice treatments.

At LouseCalls, our specialty is thorough, non-toxic manual lice removal.

Rather than relying on a pesticide-based treatment, our technicians carefully work through the hair to remove lice and eggs.

It’s detailed work, and it takes patience.

Want to know what happens during an appointment? Learn how professional head lice removal works.

For parents who have already spent hours trying to figure out what they’re seeing, having an experienced technician handle the process can be an enormous relief.

7. Sometimes the Worst Part Is the Timing

Here’s something we’ve learned after more than 20 years helping families.

Head lice has terrible timing.

It shows up the night before school pictures, just before a birthday party, when relatives are visiting, or when you’re packing for a family vacation.

And yes, sometimes parents discover lice at 10 o’clock at night.

People text us late at night, and yes, we answer!

We understand that when you’ve just discovered lice, you don’t necessarily want to wait several days to figure out what to do.

LouseCalls provides mobile head lice checks and manual removal throughout Palm Beach and Broward Counties, with appointments based on technician availability.

Our goal is to help as quickly as possible, whether that’s the same day or the next available appointment.

8. Visiting South Florida? Head Lice Doesn’t Have to Ruin Your Vacation

Imagine arriving in Boca Raton, Fort Lauderdale, or Palm Beach for a family vacation, only to discover lice in your child’s hair.

Now you’re in an unfamiliar place, searching online for help instead of enjoying your trip.

Not exactly the vacation you planned.

That’s another reason our mobile service can be so helpful.

LouseCalls can visit hotels, resorts, and vacation rentals throughout our South Florida service area when scheduling and property access permit.

You don’t have to navigate an unfamiliar city or spend valuable vacation time sitting in a clinic waiting room.

We bring professional help directly to you.

9. When It’s Time to Call Someone Who Does This Every Day

Sometimes parents just want reassurance that they’re looking at the right thing.

Other times, they’ve tried treating lice themselves and are frustrated to find the problem hasn’t gone away.

And sometimes, they simply don’t have the time or patience to comb through several family members’ hair.

That’s understandable.

LouseCalls has been helping families throughout South Florida since 2005.

Our technicians provide careful head checks, thorough manual lice removal, and practical guidance about what families should do afterward.

We’re a mobile service, which means we come directly to your home, hotel, or vacation rental.

No waiting room. No unnecessary travel. Just personal attention in a familiar, private setting.

And because we’re local, we understand the demands of busy South Florida families.

Frequently Asked Questions About Head Lice in South Florida

Can my child get head lice even if we wash their hair every day?

Absolutely. Head lice are not caused by poor hygiene, and regular shampooing doesn’t prevent an infestation.

Can my dog or cat spread head lice?

No. Human head lice do not live on or spread through household pets.

Does everyone in the house need lice treatment?

Not necessarily. Household members and close contacts should be checked, and treatment decisions should be based on the findings and current treatment guidance. People who share a bed with someone who has lice may also need treatment.

How long can lice live on furniture or bedding?

Adult head lice generally die within two days without access to a human host. Extensive household cleaning isn’t necessary, but washing recently used bedding and clothing is recommended.

Do you offer same-day head lice removal in Boca Raton, Delray Beach, or Parkland?

Same-day appointments may be available depending on technician schedules and location. Call or text LouseCalls to find out the earliest available appointment.

Can LouseCalls come to a hotel or vacation rental?

Yes. We serve families staying in hotels, resorts, and vacation rentals within our South Florida service area, subject to availability and property access.

Head Lice Happens. We’re Here to Help.

If you’ve just discovered lice, you probably have a hundred questions.

Take a moment. You don’t need to solve everything at once.

Start by confirming what you’re seeing, checking household members, and deciding which treatment approach makes sense for your family.

And if you’d rather have experienced help, we’re just a phone call or text away.

LouseCalls has been helping South Florida families get through head lice since 2005.

We serve Boca Raton, Delray Beach, Boynton Beach, West Palm Beach, Parkland, Coral Springs, Fort Lauderdale, and surrounding communities throughout Palm Beach and Broward Counties.

Call or text LouseCalls: (561) 376-1066

Visit: www.lousecalls.com

Amy Graff

LouseCalls, Inc.

Professional In-Home Head Lice Screening and Manual Removal Since 2005