Philadelphia Sees Jump in Incidence of Head Lice as Warm Weather Arrives

Philadelphia, PA, May 05, 2013 --(PR.com)-- As spring arrives in full bloom in Philadelphia and children play together outside, some unwanted guests are joining the play dates; head lice have begun their annual warm weather proliferation. Head lice are generally transmitted from head to head contact and children playing together facilitates transmission.

According to Karen Sokoloff of LiceDoctors Head Lice Removal Service, "We are seeing a huge jump in the number of cases. Each year, May is the beginning of what we call 'lice season.' This trend continues into the fall. This year, we are seeing an unusually steep climb in the number of cases as the lice are developing greater resistance to the chemical treatments." Sokoloff says that calls are coming in at record rates from Philadelphia as well as from its suburbs including Villanova, Bala Cynwyd, Elkins Park, Wayne, Swarthmore, and several others.

While it is impossible to sequester children, there are some strategies that parents can employ to discourage lice transmission. Children with long hair should wear their hair up in a bun or in a braid to make the hair less accessible to lice. In addition, gel or mousse in the hair makes it harder for the bugs to attach to the hair. If parents discover lice and nits, very nit must be removed from the hair.

LiceDoctors can be reached at 215-344-1414.