Have you been the lucky receiver of a “head lice” text message or letter from your child’s school?
Have you been the lucky receiver of a “head lice” text message or letter from your child’s school? Don’t worry, if you feel left out I can pretty much guarantee you that one will find it’s way to you in the near future if you have school-going kids.
The letter makes you question every single hair-related move in the house. If your child puts their hair behind their ears you are convinced they’ve got head lice. And God forbid that they might just innocently scratch their head someday... riddled!
We will all find ourselves having to treat the kids for head lice at some stage even if it’s just precautionary. It will most likely be a family affair with adults being treated too.
We’ve been wondering about what is fact and what is fiction when it comes to head-lice anecdotes and advice.
So here are some of the myths busted:
- Head lice are a sign of bad hygiene - Nope. And in the same way, they don’t gravitate towards clean hair. Unfortunately, these bad boys do not discriminate. They will go wherever they see fit.
- Head lice can be caught via sharing hats - This one is true sadly. It might make you think about your school’s hat storage situation.
- Head lice does not affect adults and occur only in children - Wrong. it’s important to check the entire family’s hair including adults. It is more common in children though.
- Head lice affect animals too - False. Human head lice will only live on human hair.
- It is important to change bed-sheets when head lice have been found in the family - Not true. Treating the person’s hair with effective head life products is the treatment recommended.
- Head Lice Jump From head To Head - False. Contrary to what many people think head-lice do not jump from head to head. They are passed through very close contact from person to person.
- If your child has head-lice they will itch - Not necessarily. Up to 50% of children with head lice show no sign of itching.
- You can use any comb to comb out lice/eggs - False. The specialised combs have specific bristles designed to catch lice and small eggs.
Written by Tracey Quinn, Staff Writer, with Family Friendly HQ.
