ABOUT LOUSY SOLUTIONS
Lousy Solutions is a head lice advisory & treatment service, that assists families, schools & childcare communities, to effectively control and treat lice & nits. Treatment and advice are based on sound scientific evidence and are tailored to each client-specific circumstances. We have no allegiance to anyone therapy or school of thought.
WHY LOUSY SOLUTIONS WAS STARTED
Over time I have formed the opinion that there is just one action that can halt the spread of head lice and that is to mount a coordinated attack! Unlike infectious diseases (think Covid-19), the body does not defend itself or develop an immunity to head lice; previous exposure provides no future protection. Frustratingly, immediately the treatment is over we are again vulnerable to a new infestation. No matter how effective a treatment is unless we treat everyone around us that is infested, and at the same time, we are destined for a never-ending cycle of re-infestation. The motivation for Lousy Solutions came from a desire to help families and small communities not only treat head lice in the most effective way possible based on clinical evidence but also to assist the coordination of treatment across the immediate community. Some of the obstacles to this include:
1. THE CODE OF SILENCE that surrounds head lice outbreaks and which prevents us effectively “contact tracing” and alerting people who may have been exposed.
2. FAKE NEWS in the form of myths and misinformation about head lice biology and treatments, that has us taking irrational actions and keeps us from focusing on methods of management that could be truly effective.
3. OUTBREAK APATHY where individuals fail to act even when they are aware of an outbreak, not because they are lazy or do not care but because after diligently checking heads each time a note comes home and finding nothing, the perception of risk declines.
It is the mission of LOUSY SOLUTIONS to provide tools and programs directed at overcoming these obstacles including:
• Providing evidence-based treatments for families, with options to suit different values and lifestyles.
• Minimising therapy failure through education on louse biology and the correct treatment techniques and follow-up.
• Communication tools to inform communities and normalise the conversation around head lice.
• School and Child Care Programs that co-ordinate treatment across the immediate community and break the cycle of re-infestation. ABOUT ME (Yola)
My fascination with all things head lice began at university in Aberystwyth, Wales, where I majored in parasitology (the study of parasites). Much of my career has been spent in and around the pharmaceutical industry where I have worked with various companies that research, manufacture and market medicines including anti-lice products. Through a specific interest in head lice, I have accumulated a strong knowledge of louse biology, the therapies available to get rid of lice and the evidence that proves what works and how safe it is. My experience is balanced with the real-world insights of a mother of a once primary-aged student. Sadly, with all my amassed knowledge we were not spared our very own outbreaks, or the emotional stress, frustration and trepidation that comes with head lice in the home. I also become acutely aware of the impact on teachers and staff and their frustration at having limited tools to take control and manage head in their community. It was clear to me at the time that something more could be done and so I began working on a head lice control program at the school. Together with some other motivated Mum’s, and with funding from the P&C and the school, jointly, we co-ordinated screening and treatment events across the school and implemented education and communication plans that empower parents and reduce the stigma associated with head lice. MY VISION
I have a vision of a world where there is no stigma around head lice infestation, where there is a clear understanding of what is an effective treatment and where communities can take coordinated action to eliminate head lice. LOUSY SOLUTIONS IS JUST ONE STEP IN THAT DIRECTION
