Debunking National Geographic’s Lice Myths
After 25+ years in the lice removal business, we have seen our fair share of lice misconceptions. We always take time to educate our clients and try to spread awareness through outlets like our blog and social media. However, we were taken aback when a National Geographic article, a usually reputable source, was released spreading misinformation about head lice. In addition to writing to the editor, we want to debunk a few of the myths that appeared throughout the article.
“The only sure-fire way to ward off lice, Pollack says, is to shave your head.”
Technically if you have no hair on your head lice can’t infest because they have nothing to hold onto, but shaving your child’s head if they have lice can be a very dramatic and traumatic experience that is completely unnecessary. With a little time and care a lice infestation can be managed and handled without an over-the-top reaction that will take an extended period to grow back.
“For hair that’s not easily combed, or a persistent infestation, over-the-counter, FDA-approved shampoos or lotions should do the trick.”
To imply that simply using lice products will effectively remove a lice infestation is a dangerous sentiment, especially over-the-counter shampoos that lice have now developed immunity towards. These products alone rarely get rid of an infestation and giving people false hope of this may cause a larger outbreak in the process
“Even if they’re not discovered, if they’re not treated, a lot of them just peter out.”
This is a grossly misguided statement that is simply not true. If a lice infestation is not treated it will end up not only spread to others along the way, but it will become a much larger issue for that person who is infested, ultimately costing a lot more time and energy to remove when finally dealt with. If infestations simply “petered out” we likely would not be in the business of lice removal helping families for over 25 years. In our decades-long experience with lice we have never encountered anyone or heard any stories of lice going away on its own. The only way to effectively remove lice is through manual lice removal.
“Even if they’re not discovered, if they’re not treated, a lot of them just peter out.”
This is a grossly misguided statement that is simply not true. If a lice infestation is not treated it will end up not only spread to others along the way, but it will become a much larger issue for that person who is infested, ultimately costing a lot more time and energy to remove when finally dealt with. If infestations simply “petered out” we likely would not be in the business of lice removal helping families for over 25 years. In our decades-long experience with lice we have never encountered anyone or heard any stories of lice going away on its own. The only way to effectively remove lice is through manual lice removal.
While articles like the one we are referring to in this blog may set out with the intention of helping people, we are sad to say we see this type of misinformation often. We hope that if you are reading this you find solace in knowing there is a team of experts that have your back. And always know our Hair Fairies team and facilities are a judgment-free zone. If you have read or followed the advice of a misinformed article or source, we will always help guide you in the right direction.
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