Debunking Misconceptions about Lice and Lice Treatments

Nobody can tell where head lice came from or when these small bugs started to invade the human hair. They have been around for as long as people can remember and infestations occur when individuals share caps, combs, clothing, and pillows. For some reason, children are more prone to having lice than adults and these critters generally live on children age 3 to 13. There are many common myths surrounding head lice, lice shampoo, and lice treatments. Some are peculiar, while other myths are funny and absurd. Here are some examples.

Lice are only able to infest young children and teenagers

Although far more kids throughout the world suffer from itchiness, embarrassment, and sometimes infection, grownups can even be plagued by head lice. The occurrence of lice on grownups is rare, but this happens thanks to poor personal hygiene or poor living conditions. During the First World War, infestations of head and body lice were frequent among soldiers who worked closely inside trenches.

Lice carry diseases that are transmittable

Yes, head lice draw human blood via the scalp. They, however, are usually not known to propagate any contagious illnesses from one human being to another.

They live on other animals, including dogs and cats

Dogs have plenty of troubles with fleas and ticks that infest them and cats also have the same problems with mites. The little critters, for whatever reason, feast solely on human blood and never on the blood of other animals.

These parasites like long/short hair

Head lice do not have an inclination for either short or long hair. So long as there is scalp to land on and blood to draw, they will not care less whether the hair is short or long.

Shaving away the child’s locks will get rid of the infestation of lice

This method works well in eliminating nits and lice, and also keeping them away for some time until the hair grows back. This, nevertheless, is not a recommended approach as it can lead to harmful psychological effects on the child.

Dousing hair in kerosene or gasoline and covering hair in a bandana will kill head lice

This is the most famous lice treatments that are used in many parts of the world. This home remedy is a complete misconception as it is dangerous. The closeness of flammable materials including matches and lighters would make this home remedy risky.

Peanut butter/mayonnaise/olive oil

Yummy, however, these do not really remove nits and lice on hair. It is best to let the kids eat peanut butter and mayonnaise or leave them in the chiller than apply them onto their hair. Petroleum jelly and tea tree oil will not work also.

They will easily be eliminated with lice shampoo

Lice have developed resistance to a lot of lice shampoos since these contain synthetic toxins that they can rapidly get used to. A thorough lice treatment is necessary to make them go away, and this would include a lice shampoo, conditioner, home spray, and laundry detergent.

There are more myths surrounding these critters, as well as misinformation about how they may be eliminated. Though annoying, these little parasites can be easily eliminated through lice treatments that are safe to use.

Mitchell Francis has a daughter who has used lice shampoo to get rid of lice. If you would like to know more about lice and lice shampoo, check out sites that offer more information about these topics.

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