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Head lice:

MYTHS VS FACTS

Was your child sent home from school with head lice? Don't bug out!

You're not alone! Between 6 and 12 million US children get head lice each year. While you can’t prevent all infestations, you can be informed about what to do if you encounter one. Here are a few myths and facts about head lice to get you started.

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  • MYTH 1

Only dirty children get head lice. FALSE.

Head lice infest children and adults from all backgrounds and walks of life. Anyone can get head lice, no matter how clean their home or hair is or where they live, go to school, or play. All it takes is head-to-head contact with someone who has head lice.

  • MYTH 2

Head lice are dangerous. FALSE.

Head lice do not carry any diseases. They may cause itching in people who are allergic to head louse bites, which can lead to excessive scratching. This scratching may increase the chances of a secondary skin infection.

  • MYTH 3

Children who have head lice are always itching. FALSE.

Only some people are allergic to louse saliva, which causes the scalp to itch in some people. Minor itching can also be a side effect of some head lice treatments.

  • MYTH 4

Head lice can live in a mattress or pillowcase for weeks at a time. FALSE.

Because they need to feed on blood to survive, head lice will only live 1 or 2 days away from the human host.

  • FACT 1

Head lice can’t jump, hop, or fly. TRUE.

Head lice crawl quickly from person to person through head-to-head contact. However, head lice can be projected from the scalp as a result of static buildup from brushing dry hair.

  • FACT 2

Head lice don’t spread easily to pillows, furniture, stuffed animals, or clothes, but can remain on them for 1 to 2 days. TRUE.

If you’re worried:

Machine-wash the items in hot water.

Seal items that can’t be washed in plastic bags for 2 weeks. (This applies only to items that were in contact with your child’s head over the last 24 to 48 hours.)

  • FACT 3

Head lice usually spread through close contact with a person’s head or, less commonly, through sharing things like hats, helmets, scarves, or pillows. TRUE.

Close contact with an infested person’s head can occur in unexpected ways, so be alert. For example, squeezing together for group selfies could allow lice to spread from one child to another.

  • FACT 4

You don’t need to shave your child’s head. TRUE.

While effective, it's not always the most practical option.