5 Myths About Head Lice
Facts about head lice are not exactly common knowledge in our society. We don’t learn about head lice in school much and we aren’t forced to know what it is until we have faced it ourselves. A lot the things you think you know about lice might be wrong. So here are the top 5 myths about head lice, debunked.
- Head Lice Are For Dirty People
This is a myth that goes way back. Before there was any research about head lice, people associated head lice with the lower class. It was believed that only dirty people could get lice. We now know that is a huge misconception. In fact, head lice have nothing to do with cleanliness or hygiene. The cleanest of kids can head lice. Kids get lice from making direct contact with each other. It doesn’t matter if you’re dirty or clean and it has actually been proven that lice tend to prefer a clean head of hair. So, don’t you dare feel guilty if your child gets head lice, it doesn’t mean you didn’t keep them clean enough.
- You Can Get Head Lice From Your Pet
Humans can’t get lice from animals and animals can’t get lice from us. You don’t need to stop snuggling with your puppy if you get lice, they will most certainly stay lice-free.
- Head Lice Jump From Head To Head
Head lice are not capable of jumping. They have little claws that allow them to move very fast but they don’t fly or jump. Head lice don’t have wings. They crawl from head to head when children bump heads or share hair accessories.
- Head Lice Carry And Transmit diseases
Luckily, head lice don’t carry disease (phew!). They aren’t harmful in that sense. They may cause rashes, bites and extreme itching and they are a nuisance but that is the extent of it. This is why we encourage parents to educate themselves on head lice a bit so there is not a total sense of panic when your child gets lice. Lice seem worse than they actually are to many parents.
- Head Lice Prefer Long Hair
Head lice don’t discriminate. They don’t care if your hair is long, short, brunette, blonde, layered, curly or straight. Lice thrive in the hair, period. All they need is a head of hair and a scalp to get blood from.
Head lice are not fun, but they are not dangerous and they are treatable. We treat every case of head lice and we are more than willing to answer any questions you may have. Give us a call to learn about our treatments, or visit our website.
