As common as head lice and nits are, there is an abundance of persistent misunderstandings about them. In this article, Lice Lifters looks at the top myths about nits in DFW.
Myth: Nits are easy to spot.
Truth: Unless a child has a severe infestation, head lice can be extremely difficult to spot, especially on dry hair. The best way to check for head lice is to coat the scalp and hair with conditioner, then comb through small sections at a time with a fine-toothed lice comb, wiping the comb on a paper towel as you go. Under good light and with a magnifying glass, check the paper towel for small brown critters that may look like sesame seeds (the lice) and white specks (the eggs).
Myth: Nits (lice eggs) can fall off a person’s head, hatch and cause another person to get lice.
Truth: Nits are glued to the hair shaft by a cement-like substance and are very hard to remove. When a nymph (baby louse) is hatched, it must quickly have the warmth and food source of a head to survive.
Myth: “No-nit” policies reduce the risk of head lice in schools and child-care facilities.
True: Research shows “no-nit” policies do not decrease the number of cases of head lice. They do increase the risk of incorrect diagnosis of head lice, the number of days children are out of school, and negative social stigma associated with head lice. They also may hinder academic performance.
Where to Go to Learn More
If you live in the DFW area and someone in your home is dealing with head lice, give our experienced Lice Lifticians at our Frisco location at 972-294- 3539 to answer any questions. We’ll be happy to answer whatever questions you may have.