Head Lice Myths
Each year thousands of people across the nation contract head lice. Everyone knows that head lice are small little bugs that usually hang out in the hairline but many people don't know what's truth and what's myth when it comes to contracting and treating the condition
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Only Kids
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It's a common misconception that head lice are only found in school-aged children. Although the majority of cases come from school children, adults can also contract head lice. Schools are a more common breeding ground because children are in close contact for hours at a time. It's for this reason that many schools provide screenings for students to help prevent the spread.
Dirty People
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One of the most common misconceptions about head lice is that they are spread by people with bad hygiene. This is not true. Head lice can be contracted or spread between anyone, regardless of their hygiene. There is a social stigma surrounding lice and the embarrassment that contracting them causes, but there's no concrete proof that the cleanliness or dirtiness of hair makes any difference.
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Lice Jump
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Most people think lice spread from one person to the next by jumping. In reality lice are spread through direct contact between a person with the parasite and a person without. Lice do not crawl from one person to another and it's vary rare for a person to contract lice from a quick contact. Prolonged contact with a carrier is the most likely form of transmission so it's important not to share hats or hairbrushes because they can, though the likelihood is not high, help spread the lice and eggs.
Lice Come From Pets
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Many people liken lice to fleas but the two parasites are nothing alike. Lice do not come from pets and they do not come from a dirty house. Treating your pets with medication and cleaning your home will not reduce the chances of contracting lice.
Treatment
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Some parents don't find the thought of using a harsh chemical to treat lice. While there are certainly some side effects,this is the most effective way of treating. Putting Vaseline on the head or manually removing the lice and eggs won't always work and you might find yourself treating again and again.
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