There may be misconceptions about infestation, treatment, and prevention of head lice. You should be acquainted with the basic facts before and after attempting to get rid of head lice. The ten myths about head lice are:
- Scalp itchiness: Itching and scalp scratching does not necessarily mean that you have come into contact with head lice. There may be other reason for this. Dandruff may be one of the causes of itching.
- Personal hygiene: If you are under the impression that dirty and unkempt hair and personal hygiene are the causes of lice infestations, you may be mistaken. Lice infestations are spread through contact with another person, and it is not related to the hygienic condition of the hair.
- Lice can jump: Some people believe that a louse can jump from one head to another. This is incorrect as a louse does not have wings. Lice infestations spread only through physical contact. Children have the habit of being in close contact with each other, and when their heads come close the lice can crawl from one head to the other.
- Transmission of disease: If you believe that lice are responsible for the transmission of diseases, you are mistaken as lice only cause irritation. Rashes on the neck may be quite disturbing, but will go away. Lice do not spread any diseases.
- Long hair attracts lice: It is a common idea that lice thrive better on long hair because females are more prone to a lice infestation than males. As the louse gets its blood by sucking through the scalp, the type of hair is immaterial.
- Removing the child’s belongings: An age old conception is packing all the child’s belongings into a bag and tucking them away. This does not make lice die. Instead, you should clean all the bed linens and places where your child may have rested or come into contact with. Washing items with hot water is the best way to kill lice.
- Lice infestation from pets: Although lice infestations quickly spread, lice cannot be transmitted from pets; neither can they spread from humans to pets.
- Isolation of children: The idea of keeping children with lice away from contact with any other child, especially from school, is not recommended. Once the child starts lice treatments, he or she should be able to remain in school. The “no-nit” policy adopted by schools should be revised, so that children are allowed to attend regular classes.
- Lice infestations occur in school: Although children come into close contact with each other at school, they may also get infested by lice when at a summer camp, daycare homes, or slumber parties. Head to head contact allows the louse to crawl to a new host. Hence, the belief that school is the only place where a child might become infested is false.
- Brand of natural remedy items: Parents are advised not to get carried away by the inscriptions on the label of natural remedy products as they may be misleading. Always consult a doctor before applying any chemicals to the hair of a child where you are unsure.
Learn more lice facts here: Lice Facts > Ten Things Parents Need to Know about Lice