As humans, we crave affection pretty much all the time- especially during uncertain times. You want to snuggle with a significant other, a fluffy pet or just give your friendbrofist. But have you ever stopped to wonder if such warm interactions could lead to head lice infestations?
Here's what everyone thinks they know about hugs and head lice:
Myth #1: If You Hug Someone With Head Lice, You'll Get Them Too
We've been raised on this one for so long it almost feels like instinct - avoid people with head lice like you'd avoid strolling into live fire! Turns out though that hugging someone who has an active case of headlice isn't likely putting you at risk. It's not easy for these bugs to crawl from person-to-person while caught up in hair fibres due to the thickness of hair strands (sourceless).
Myth #2: Anyone Can Get Them From A Hug
Factually incorrect! It takes only close physical contact (where heads meet) to transmithead lice between two individuals-which is why younger children are more prone than adults. Adults typically dole out perfunctory-style single-arm hugs as opposed to little Sally who will accept full-body embraces.
Myth #3: Over-The-Counter Hair Products Are Good At Killing All Of The Louse Eggs Or "Nits"
It sounds enticing-a pre-packaged solution that kills off any tiny traces of bug sprawled around in uninvited territory.Unfortunately, there aren't many products capable of handling nits. Permethrin cream rinse has a great track record here but might require repeat applications plus thorough nitpicking.
So We Shouldn't Always Avoid Those Cuddles!
Of course not-sometimes we need those heartwarming moments to keep us ticking along emotionally. Just make sure that whenever you're hugging, headbutting or sharing any hair-stylistic equipment with others, there is no clear indication they have an infection.
Back in the day (and sometimes still currently) schools had policies prohibiting students from coming into school if an active case of lice was present on their heads - meant to protect other children from getting potentially infected over shared spaces such as chairs and tables (those slippery nits are catching onto anything they can latch onto!). With time however new reports like The American Academy of Pediatrics(AAP) now suggest kids be permitted to attend school regardless though some schools continue being strict about it.
Thoughts From An Expert: "While lice can only crawl through fresh air a few inches,'' says Richard J. Pollack, president of Harvard School of Public Health's pest management firm identrx inc., "the insects' claws are ideally designed for moving across hair strands." If two people are exchanging hugs back-to-back within six hours or so'.' Mr.Pollak explains 'there certainly could be transmission.'
Recalling Key Consensus
- Hugging someone with fully grown adult bug life isn't how nits spread usually.
- Close physical contact between two individuals can leadto transmission during head-to-head embrace.
- Over-the-counter products don't work well at zapping all those pesky eggs unless your home base shampoo has permethrin in sufficient concentrations.
With this myth-busting underway we hope you feel equipped next time someone attempts gameplan-'Here's what we do: next week let's just lie around, hug and get lousy oooonpurpose.' Be honest when it comes to having infestations-there Iaughably is nothing glam about scratching scalp against wall edges!