MORRISVILLE, N.C., Jan. 9, 2015 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — During the cold weather months, we all like a warm, cozy home – (cue the creepy music) even head lice. Your child’s head can be very inviting for lice, but you can put a damper on their move-in by using a protective lice shampoo in the case of potential exposure.

Many parents think the fall back-to-school season is the only time to be concerned about head lice. In fact, the problem persists year-round, especially when children are playing indoors in close proximity, and when hats and scarves are shared. Children can be exposed to head lice during parties, playdates and sleepovers, and retail sales figures for lice products show that when temperatures drop, and school is again back in session, incidents of lice go up. 

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that as many as 12 million children get lice each year, making it one of the top two health issues in the U.S. among children ages 3-11 (behind the common cold). If a child is exposed to lice, siblings and parents are also at risk. If you or your children have potentially been exposed, specialists recommend a lice protection product to eliminate uncertainty.

Dr. Brooke Bissinger is an award-winning entomologist and director of R&D for TyraTech, Inc., an innovative life sciences company which has introduced the Vamousse line of pesticide-free lice products. She is also the mother of two school-age children. Bissinger advises that a protective shampoo is effective if it kills the lice before an infestation can take hold. It’s too late for a repellent solution at this point. Once exposure has happened, expedient eradication of lice is key to preventing a more serious and challenging problem.

“If you’re concerned about potential exposure to head lice, start by performing a thorough head check. If no lice are found but you are concerned about any you may have missed or continued exposure, replace your family’s daily shampoo with a pesticide-free protective shampoo for two weeks to kill any lice,” said Bissinger. “There are safe, non-toxic shampoos on the market today, including Vamousse, which can be used daily allowing you to proactively eliminate any stray lice before they become an infestation.”

Bissinger offers these tips for anyone who might be facing the unwelcome guests:

• Examine your child’s head under bright light for tiny grayish bugs and their eggs (these are often mistaken for dandruff and usually located near the scalp). If seen, use a lice treatment product immediately.
• Lice symptoms include scalp itching and a visible rash behind ears and on the nape of the neck. Signs of infestation, if they appear at all, manifest 2-4 weeks after lice have arrived. During this time, children are sharing lice with others before any infestation is detected.
• If you don’t see visible signs but are concerned about exposure , give yourself peace of mind by replacing your family’s daily shampoo for two weeks with an effective lice protection shampoo that kills lice. A louse can lay up to 10 eggs a day, making it crucial to kill the lice and continue using the shampoo to kill any lice that may hatch from eggs laid before you began using the shampoo..
• Pesticide-based lice products should not be used as a preventative measure. Look for non-toxic and pesticide-free alternatives as repeat exposure to certain chemicals is not recommended.

There are many lice products on the market. The best way to prepare for that note about an outbreak at school – or when your child’s friend or sibling is infested – is to seek out protection that is proven effective in killing lice, such as safe, non-toxic Vamousse Lice Protection Shampoo. Its innovative formula helps keep your family lice-free by killing lice before you know they are there – protecting against an infestation. Vamousse is gentle and safe for daily use by the entire family, including children as young as two.

In 2015, moms, school nurses and pharmacists will learn more about head lice and the benefits of safe, effective, pesticide-free protection as TyraTech sends its clinicians and research scientists to professional conferences and educational events across the country. Tyra Tech continues to be a global leader in nature-derived consumer solutions that are safe for people, animals, and the environment.

Vamousse Lice Protection Shampoo, made in the U.S., comes in an 8 fluid ounce (236mL) bottle and is available online. For an active head lice infestation, use Vamousse® Lice Treatment, available online and in Walmart. For further product information, coupons, and tips on battling lice visit www.vamousselice.com.

About TyraTech
Established in 2004, TyraTech, Inc. (AIM: TYR and TYRU) is a life sciences company focusing on nature-derived insect and parasite control products that are as effective as traditional chemical options while providing a new level of safety for people, animals and the environment. TyraTech’s Nature’s Technology® leverages its patented scientific platform to provide a full range of biocides, head lice and insect repellent solutions. For more information, visit www.tyratech.com.