SPARTANBURG, S.C. (WSPA) – It has become a growing trend nationally that is being seen here in the Upstate, head lice. According to Lice Clinics of America, they saw an increase of 25% in lice activity from April to May nationally. Medical professionals told 7 News the pandemic could be to blame.
Since the pandemic began, a pharmacist at Reidville Road Pharmacy told us certain products, including lice treatments, have been flying off the shelves.
“We have seen some spike in those cases,” Reidville Road Pharmacy owner and pharmacist Manish Chomal said.
Chomal told us more people are coming in, looking for ways to get rid of it.
It’s a trend that Lice Clinics of America in the Upstate owner Heather Purtle started tracking shortly after the home quarantining started.
“It times out beautifully with end of school, people going home before they realized it invaded their home,” Purtle said.
She said more people are home, sharing things that could add to the spread like pillows and blankets. On top of that, people of all ages are at risk. She told us spotting the issue can be tricky.
“The bugs themselves can be hard to find but if you get the nit against a white sheet of paper, it will always show up as some shade of brown,” Purtle told us.
According to the CDC, the best way to prevent lice is never share things that touch your head like combs or towels. Plus, as you’re home during this pandemic, you’re urged to avoid beds, pillows or couches that have been in contact with an infested person.
That pharmacist we talked with said the over the counter treatment typically cures the problem fairly quickly. If it doesn’t, the owner at the Lice Clinics of America in the Upstate said they have additional treatment options.
Click here to learn more about Lice Clinics of America in the Upstate.
