FALSE
It is not a sign of poor hygiene. Head lice don’t really discriminate and don’t care if hair was washed this morning or last week.
TRUE
This is true and 71% of mums1 got ‘full marks’ believing that head lice can be spread this way. Schools are advised not to store children’s hats in a communal box between breaks.
FALSE
More than half (53%) of mums surveyed thought lice can be caught jumping from head to head when in fact they are unable to hop, jump, or fly at all – they are transmitted by close personal contact or by sharing caps and hats, brushes and combs with an infested person.
FALSE
This is indeed a myth. Anyone of any age can get head lice but it’s generally more prevalent in school age children. Interestingly, nearly 60% of mums surveyed1 reported that they or their partner had had head lice at some stage so it’s a good idea to do a check of the entire family if an outbreak occurs.
FALSE
Healthy lice are not detached easily from the hair shaft. Any louse found in a swimming pool will be dead or dying and not an infestation risk.
FALSE
Lice need regular blood meals to survive and are very good at staying attached to the hair. If a louse is found on the floor it will be dead or dying and is not likely to be an infestation risk2.
FALSE
Human head lice are very specialised and will only live on human hair.
FALSE
Head lice have not been found to carry any diseases and are not harmful; however it is possible to have an irritant / sensitization reaction to the saliva of the lice. This will make the skin itchy and rash3.
FALSE
While we are seeing resistance to some of the older pesticides4 there are many head lice treatment products that are effective when used correctly.
FALSE
You do not need to wash bedding to eradicate head lice4 A lot of parents feel more comfortable washing the sheets, and this is not a problem – we all love clean sheets! MOOV Head Lice products are effective in destroying, detaching and defending against head lice.
1. Consumer research undertaken by Colmar Brunton and sponsored by Ego Pharmaceuticals Pty Ltd. Data held on file.
2. Speare R, Thomas G, Cahill C. Head lice are not found on floors in primary school classrooms. Aust N Z J Public Health. 2002; 26 (3): 208 - 211.
3. Global Health - Division of Parastitic Disease. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention[Internet]. 1/7/2015. Available from: https://www.cdc.gov/parasites/lice/head/gen_info/faqs.html.
4. Greive KA, Altman P, Rowe JS, Staton JA, Oppenheim VMJ. A randomised, double-blind, comparative efficacy trial of three head lice treatment options: malathion, pyrethrins with piperonyl butoxide and MOOV Head Lice Solution. Aust Pharmacist. 2007; 26(9): 738 - 743. Research sponsored by Ego Pharmaceuticals.
