If you have every travelled by a plane, you know how stressful it can be. There’s packing necessities, followed by getting a headache over the proper departure and arrival times. Then there are some unexpected turn of events such as delays, connecting flights, being seated behind or beside some particularly excited passengers.
You’re cooped up in one small space with numerous other people, breathing the air possibly exposed to sickness, and seated in an area which may contain, you guessed it, lice!
Lice on a Plane
Contracting lice on a plan is not your typical incidence of airplane ailments. Unless you are seated beside someone with head lice—in which case, a direct head-to-head contact can enable their lice to move to your hair—the chances of you getting lice a minimal. Lice cannot survive
for more than 48 hours outside human hair.
However, it’s enough time; lice can burrow in the fabrics of the seating and carpet on the airplane, and from there move to your clothing and hair.
On average, most planes take up to eight trips per day, which means that quite a few people sat in the same spot as you that very day. The cleaning crew does their work between flights, but lice, in all their tiny, resilient and stubborn glory, are quite apt at hiding.
Lice Prevention in Air
Fortunately, there are a number of preventative measures you can opt for against lice on a plane.
First and foremost, always travel with your hair tied. Leave the open-hair chic airport look to the celebs; when travelling with dozens of other people, you need to prioritize safety over style.
If you’re travelling with families with kids, you can be extra careful and use a light-fabric scarf or a beanie to defend your hair. Statistically, kids make up
the majority of 6-12 million people who get lice per year.
Make sure never to share anyone else’s belongings, such as neck-pillows or blankets/shawls. If you’re traveling with kids, instruct them to
avoid any head-to-head contact with other people or things.
And if you do find yourself in the unfortunate circumstance of hosting plane lice, get a professional treatment as soon as possible. If you live Coral Gables or Miami, or travelling here, make an appointment or visit
lice clinic Coral Gables by Lice Troopers. The professional lice removal service offers natural, one-time lice treatments for kids and adults.
Get in touch with them at
800-403-5423; you’ll be glad you did when you’re not spending your post-flight days scratching your head!
