The Facts of Lice
By Ann Douglas
Getting the facts about lice and nits—and steering clear of some all-too-common head lice myths—can make it easier to diagnose and treat head lice outbreaks when they happen
MYTH: Head lice prefer long hair.
THE LOUSY TRUTH: Actually, head lice don't care what kind of hair a person has. What they're after is access to a human scalp, so that they can dine on this delicacy up to five times a day. They're also looking for a place to lay their eggs (nits), and their location of choice is a strand of human hair, about 1 to 2 mm up from the scalp.
MYTH: Head lice love rough-and-tumble play. When children are running around, the head lice are able to pick up more speed as they fly from head to head.
THE LOUSY TRUTH: Actually, head lice are more likely to make their way from head to head when things are less rambunctious—say when two children are chatting together quietly or putting their heads together—literally—as they tackle a math problem. And as for that bit about head lice being able to fly—that's yet another myth. Head lice don't have wings.
MYTH: It's easy to tell when your child has head lice. Your child will start complaining of itchiness right away.
THE LOUSY TRUTH: Your child may not start scratching or complain of itchiness initially. It could take as long as four to six weeks for your child to start scratching his head or complaining of itchiness. Meanwhile, the head lice are merrily multiplying in numbers on his head—and seizing every opportunity to migrate to other people's heads. That's why it's important to check your child's head regularly for signs of head lice (as opposed to waiting for your child's school to advise you that a head lice outbreak has occurred or for your child to start experiencing head lice symptoms).
MYTH: If one family member has head lice, the entire family should be treated.
THE LOUSY TRUTH: It's only necessary to treat those family members who have been diagnosed with head lice. Treating the entire family—including family members who are lice-free—amounts to overkill. Checking everyone's head for head lice on a daily basis while someone in your family still has head lice, and on a weekly basis thereafter, will allow you to detect the earliest signs of head lice activity and to respond right away if another family member requires treatment.
For more words of parenting wisdom visit Ann Douglas: The Mother of All Blogs.
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