Head lice are all too common.  It has been estimated that one in ten children are infested with head lice.  Almost every parent will at some point in their child’s education get a letter informing them that head lice is present in the school community.

There are lots of myths about head lice.  The most common are:

 Head lice are found only on dirty hair.

 Wrong – They do not discriminate between clean or dirty hair. 

 Children with long hair are more likely to catch them.

Wrong – anyone can be infested with head lice whether you have long or short hair.

 The colour of hair makes a difference.

Wrong – it doesn’t matter what your hair colour, or condition of hair is – all head lice see is a suitable food source.

 Only white, Caucasians catch head lice.

Wrong – head lice do not discriminate by colour, religion, sex or race.  Everyone is food.

 To prevent head lice spreading, you need a lot of time and careful cleaning.

 Always remember that head lice spread primarily by head to head contact.  Lice are wingless insects that walk or run from head to head.  So you can infect someone by putting your head on their shoulder, or your hair touching their hair accidentally when passing them. 

 Danish pest control laboratories have shown that head lice can spread among people sitting near each other, or by sharing clothes or hats.  A louse that falls from the hair can live for approximately 48 hours depending on humidity, temperature and environment.  So for example, a louse that falls on a towel could stay there for several hours and then be taken onto the hair of the next user.  This means that combs, hairbrushes, towels, hats and clothes that have been in contact with infected hair can infect you.

Always wash hair over a bath or sink so that head lice fall into it and can be destroyed.  Do not share combs, towels, or hats.  Wash combs and hairbrushes every time they are used on infected hair.

 Change towels and bed linen very regularly.  If possible, ensure that everyone in the household has their own separate towel. 

 Vacuum floors and carpets every day until the infestation is over.  Clean floor and other surfaces thoroughly immediately after washing and combing infected hair. 

Above all, avoid all situations where head to head contact is required.

This content was provided by one of our users, pinewoodlodge