What Parents Need to Know about Head Lice – Myths and Facts of Lice

”I need to change the color of my hair because I have a bad case of head lice,”… or “Lice prefer children with dirty hair, so you better take a shower every day!”

What is the first thing to do if your family member encounters a head lice infestation?

Most parents will likely visit their local pharmacy and buy bottles of the best chemical-based lice removal shampoo. Others will try their hand at home remedies, believing natural equals safe and effective. But how much of it is the truth? Well, keep reading to discover the answers in this article.

7 Myths of Lice – What NOT to Believe Any Longer

It’s time to find out the truth. Some widespread myths can make the recovery process much longer or even cause harm to your health. So, let’s go through them quickly:

Myth 1: Head Lice Prefer Dirty Hair. 

Well, do people think that lice, just like people, prefer to grow babies in a clean environment? Or that they are attracted to a fresh shampoo smell? So, do lice like clean hair? Not really. In fact, there is no evidence that clean hair attracts lice more than a dirty one. So, it is better to stick to your normal hair wash schedule when treating lice.

Myth 2: Hair Color Kills Lice

Hair color kills lice – wrong, it will color lice not kill them! Unfortunately, yes. Having colored hair doesn’t assure that lice won’t pick a person as their victim, just like there is no difference for them when it comes to any natural hair type. 

Myth 3: Lice Can Jump

Lice cannot jump. What’s more – they cannot swim or fly. All they can do is run. Very fast. So, the only ways that make the lice spread possible are by closely contacting the people that carry lice (touching them) or interacting with the fabrics that carry lice and nits (like beddings or clothes).

Myth 4: Itching and Scratching are Surefire Symptoms of a Lice Infestation

It is the most common symptom of pediculosis but not the only one. This itching feeling is caused by allergic reactions and irritation from the lice salvia that they spread while nourishing with blood from the skin. But what else? First of all, check for other visual signals – white dots in the hair, for nits and lice themselves to make sure that some other factors do not cause the itching. 

Myth 5: You Must Clean Everything to Get Rid of Lice

There is no point to wash the floors and clean all the dishes once you have lice. You can do it if you want to distract yourself from the itching feeling of anxiety caused by pediculosis. However, there is no need for it. What’s really important is to wash and iron clothes and bedding. 

Myth 6: Pets Can Carry Lice.

Some wonder if cats can catch lice. You cannot catch lice from your cat, and your cat cannot catch this parasite from you. Look, lice are species-specific. Lice that feed on your cat’s blood will not change their feeding habits if they settle on you, and vice versa. 

Myth 7: Over-the-Counter Lice shampoos will get rid of lice. 

Unfortunately, it doesn’t work this way. Check FDA-approved lice treatments like permethrin lotion. Yet, shampoo can often leave nits alive and doesn’t completely eradicate the problem. A good idea will be to take off the nits manually to lower the chances of getting lice again. Still, over-the-counter shampoos are good for head lice prevention. 

Myth 8: Lice Prefer Long Hair. 

Lice and long hair do not correlate with each other. In fact, the only reason that can make it easier is that the big area gives them more possibilities to spread faster to the hair of the other person when touching. So, there is no need to cut the hair once someone has lice. 

Facts of Lice – May the Truth Set You Free

It is important to separate fact from fiction when fighting a head lice infestation. Parents need to know:

How Head Lice Spreads

Head lice are insects that crawl really fast! This parasite cannot jump, fly, or hop.

Direct and prolonged head-to-head contact is required for lice to spread from one head to another.

Symptoms of Head Lice

Itching is stated as the most common symptom, but it isn’t the only one. Other symptoms you need to look out for are:

• Irritability with sleeping

• Scratching behind the ear

• Dandruff-like residue on the hair shaft

Are you tired of removing head lice from your child’s head only for them to appear again after a short while? Well, you shouldn’t have any trouble evicting with Lice Removal Pros on the scene. Schedule an appointment today and have all your head lice concerts resolved by professionals!