7 Common Myths Around Head Lice

7 Common Myths Around Head lice

There are many confusing assumptions that may not be reliable in preventing head lice. Information may not be accurate which can lead to misconceptions and potential infestation. It is important to know some basic facts about head lice in order to react without panic and take effective measures to fight these parasites.

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Some common myths around Head Lice to look out for are:

1. Head Lice Can Jump From Head to Head

Lice are tiny insects that do not have wings, and they don’t have the ability to jump or fly. So the only way they can move is by crawling, which can occur when children put their heads together while playing or sharing hats, caps, and brushes. It is recommended to not share any objects/materials with each other.  

2. You are More Likely to Get Head Lice if you have Bad Personal Hygiene

Head lice don’t discriminate, they like both clean and unwashed hair. These bugs plant their eggs onto the hair shaft and are immune to scent, sweat, and dirtiness. Nits don’t discriminate or care what portfolio you have, they will stick and cling onto any piece of hair. To be cautious of nits, it is recommended to check children’s hair regularly to ensure it hasn’t been infested.

Simple steps may be coating the hair with MOOV Combing Conditioner and using a fine-tooth comb to check hair for nits and head lice. Wipe the comb and repeat, working your way throughout the whole head.

3. Head Lice Prefer Long Hair

Whether you have short, long, clean, or dirty hair, lice will thrive in any hair environment. They are only concerned with the blood they can get on the scalp. Unless you have no hair at all, your risk of head lice will always be the same. Some steps to prevent head lice would be securing the hair in either a bun or plait to minimise hair movement and potential infestation of the scalp.

Alternatively, MOOV Head Lice Defence Spray can help defend against lice. Applied like a leave-in conditioner, it provides up to eight hours of defence against head lice. It is formulated with a special combination of researched ingredients that makes the hair feel unpleasant to lice.

4. Head Lice Carry and Transmit Diseases

On the contrary, head lice have not been shown to spread diseases. However, if infested, you may experience intense itching on the scalp and even develop harsh rashes. The skin may become infected from scratching and feel irritable throughout the whole period.

5. Only Children can Get Head Lice

Head lice can infect anyone at any age, whether you are an adult or a child. It is, however, more prevalent in children because of the nature of their
close play.

6.  Head Lice can Live in Carpets, Beds, Clothes, and Swimming Pools

A louse can live up to 2 days away from the scalp, and even on a piece of fallen hair but will die if it cannot find a host scalp within that period.  Head Lice require regular blood to survive so if there isn’t any supply, there is no likely risk of infestation.

7. You Can Get Head Lice from Pets (and vice versa)

Human head lice will only live on human hair and cannot thrive in any other species, they have very specific features which can only feed off scalps. Pets have other parasites which are only infested in them such as fleas. 

By knowing these myths and preventions, it will be easier for people to understand what can be done to help avoid infestation.

Easy to use and Australian-owned, the MOOV Head Lice range gives you peace of mind when treating and helping to prevent head lice. Available at stores such as Ego eShop, Priceline Pharmacy, Chemist Warehouse and Terry White Chemmart for a convenient purchase. 

Always read the label and follow the directions for use.

References:

1. Mayo Clinic. Head Lice. [Internet][cited 7 April 2022] Available from: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/head-lice/symptoms-causes/syc-20356180
2. Victoria Department of Health. About Head Lice. [Internet] [cited April 7 2022] Available from: https://www.health.vic.gov.au/infectious-diseases/about-head-lice
3.  Healthline. What Do Lice Look Like? [Internet][cited 7 April 2022] Available from: https://www.healthline.com/health/what-do-head-lice-look-like#Outlook-and-prevention.
4.  Healthline. Where do Lice Come From? [Internet] [cited 7 April 2022] Available from: https://www.healthline.com/health/lice/where-do-lice-come-from

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