Myth Busting – Head Lice Edition

It’s a normal reaction to freak out when your child comes home from school, with lice swarming through his/her hair. It didn’t just happen overnight. Somehow, you missed the signs, or did you…? The constant aggravated itching, the grumpiness, the little specks of “dandruff” you noticed… it all makes sense now! However, you’re not the only one going through this! 6 to 12 million children between the age of 3 and 11 are victims of head lice every year in the US alone. Although it’s important to prevent these infestations, you can be better prepared for head lice if you’re well-informed. There is an abundance of myths about head lice that are just not true. Separating these myths from facts can help parents all over America tackle the head lice issue! Let’s debunk five of the most common myths that you’ve heard about head lice!

Myth #1: Only the Unclean Ones Get Head Lice

Head lice can be very contagious and can affect children from different lifestyles and all walks of life. Even people who keep their hair super clean can be infested with lice. Lice can crawl very quickly. All it takes is 2 seconds of head-to-head contact for an infestation to spread.

Myth #2: Head Lice Can Cause Dangerous Diseases

Head lice infestations are not intrinsically dangerous because head lice don’t carry any diseases. It can cause itching in people allergic to head lice bites which if scratched excessively may lead to secondary skin infections. However, just because head lice don’t carry any diseases, doesn’t mean it’s not a serious issue. It requires your immediate attention. Leaving it untreated can cause it to spread it to other kids.

Myth #3: Head Lice Always Cause Itching

Not all people suffering from head lice infestation will itch. One of the main reasons head lice can go undetected for long periods is because of the lack of itching. Itching due to head lice is common in people who are allergic to the lice. Parents should also keep in mind that some treatments for head lice may also cause the side effect of itching.

Myth #4: Lice Can Survive on Pillows and Mattresses

Many parents believe that head lice can survive inside a mattress or pillow for weeks. However, that’s simply not true! Head lice survive on blood and they can only live for a day or two without a human host. If you fear that your furniture is also infested with lice, you can contact a lice removal service that offers comprehensive home inspection and cleaning. Your peace of mind is important!

Myth #5: Home Remedies Can Take Care of Head Lice

One of the main reasons head lice infestations are so common is parents relying on home remedies to treat it. The effectiveness of home remedies hasn’t been proven so it’s better to rely on tried and tested treatments. With professional help, you can get rid of head lice quickly and effectively. If you’re looking for a professional lice removal service in Hollywood, FL, we offer the most effective lice treatments. With our pesticide free products, we offer guaranteed results with no side effects. For camps and schools, we offer screening services as well. Concerned parents can also check out our Lice Free membership. At Lice Troopers, we offer lice removal services all over the country so contact us now!