University of Utah professor Dale Clayton, PhD, turned a vexing problem into a solution that is helping people worldwide combat an unwanted pest: head lice. As a biologist who investigates how hosts adapt to defend against parasites, Clayton grew frustrated after moving his laboratory to Utah. The arid climate was killing the lice that resided on the pigeons that were subjects of his research. Although the dry conditions temporarily short-circuited his work, he immediately saw an opportunity.

Over the course of several years he developed a device, now called AirAllé, that eradicates head lice from people. The hairdryer-like apparatus blows controlled, heated air in a directed manner onto the scalp to dry out louse eggs and most of the hatched, according to a University of Utah press release. The method works so well that today it is used in 400 “Lice Clinics of America” in the U.S. and abroad.  The LCA network also sells products in CVS outlets and other retail stores across the United States.

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Head Lice Treatment Technology Developed by University of Utah Professor (Good 4 Utah)