When it comes to lice, everyone who has ever had it before always seem to have something to say about it. Whether it is a tip they suggest or the best treatment ever; more often than none, you probably have been given lots and lots of advice. You probably have also done tons and tons of google searches on the topic as well and your head feels like it is spinning and you don’t know which way is up.
With the topic of lice comes a lot of information that is true as well as a lot of information that is false. It is important to know all the facts before you start your treatment if you want to do it correctly and not have lice get the best of you.
One myth heard is that combing does not work. This is not true as this solely depends on the comb in which you use. In fact, combing is the only clinically evaluated method proven to work for the detection and cure of an infestation.
Another common myth is that the people who spread the lice are not bothering to do anything at all to treat their problem. This is not often true as most of the times, they are using products that claim to work and do not and they are spreading lice and not even knowing that they are doing so.
Most people believe that itching your head is the first sign that you might have lice. Again, not true because the itching might take weeks to develop after you first contract lice and some people may never even itch at all.
Most people also believe that head lice can be seen in your hair at a glance. Lice are very difficult to see and they usually remain very close to the scalp and remain hidden beneath the hair. The best and most effective way to detect lice is to use a lice comb and comb through the hair.
Some believe that any fine tooth comb will do. This is not true. A professional lice comb is the best to use as the teeth are designed in a certain way to effectively pick up the nits (lice eggs) and eggs within the hair. Potomac Lice Lady prefers to use The LiceMeister comb as we feel it is the best.
Most people interchange the words head lice and nits. Nits are the eggs of the head lice. You can’t have one without the other- something had to lay the eggs.
Most people believe that the school nurse is the best person to detect lice in their children’s hair. This many times is not true because lice move very quickly within the hair when it is dry and disturbed. Quite often light cases are dismissed during school nurse checks because the school nursed do not have the time to do large quantities of wet combings.
Most people think that lice jump, fly and swim. They do none of these. They climb through the hair and hold on to the hair with the claws at the end of their six legs.
Many believe that head lice are only found in school ages children. Lice are a community and family problem even though that 80% of cases affect school-aged children.
Lastly, many feel that having lice in a family is somewhat of a disaster! This is not the case. If we encourage schools to utilize detection programs and encourage parents to check their whole families regularly, we can all battle this problem together.
As always, when you need help or have questions, feel free to call the Potomac Lice Lady. Remember to have a “lice” day!
Best,
Lauren Salzberg
Potomac Lice Lady
lauren@potomaclicelady.com
240-390-NITS(6487
