By Molly Parker
mparker@scbiznews.com

Jewel Hendrix of Summerville has created a new business to address an age-old schoolyard pest: head lice.

Hendrix’s company, Lice Busters Inc., http://www.lice-busters.com/ specializes in removing lice from heads and homes. Workers use all natural botanical oils on children’s hair in a process that takes about two hours, she said. Crews also can be hired to clean homes, or certified medical professionals can teach parents about what they need to do to disinfect blankets and other items where lice eggs might be hiding.

Tired of her old “punching a clock” job, Hendrix said she got the idea for her new business after a friend of hers battled head lice with two foster children she had taken in.

“That was a year and a half ago,” Hendrix said. “At first, I said ‘No, I will not become known as the lice lady.’ But I really have a desire to make a difference. I know my life is about more than making money; it’s about making a difference.”

She hopes to educate parents about proper lice removal and to remove the stigma associated with head lice. The problem, Hendrix said, is that some parents are so embarrassed to admit their children have lice that they won’t ask for help.

Without complete removal of head lice, the problem continues to manifest itself and children spread it to one another by sharing such things as hats, coats and athletic helmets. Exasperated parents try a number of home remedies from mayonnaise to gasoline, neither of which is recommended, the latter being quite dangerous, she said.

Currently, Hendrix employs four part-time workers, but she hopes to expand her business in the Lowcountry, and eventually into Columbia and Greenville, by reaching out to schools and nurses. Hendrix said she is only hiring certified medical professionals.

There are 12 million reported cases of head lice each year, and many go unreported. It is one of the leading reasons that children miss school. Lice eggs, called “nits,” attach themselves to hair and mature to an adult after about 10 days. At that point, an adult can reproduce and lay anywhere from 50 to 150 eggs during the course of a month.

“People are so embarrassed about head lice they don’t want to talk about it,” Hendrix said. “But people can’t be so grossed out about it. This is really an emotional thing. A lot of times by the time we get to the home they’ve had it for awhile.”

Molly Parker can be reached at 843-849-3144.