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Head Lice FAQ

Head Lice FAQ

Can good hygiene prevent lice?

No, this is a long standing myth. Hygiene is unrelated to personal hygiene. Lice is very contagious, and anyone who has contact with head lice through head to head contact or through the use of shared hair accessories has a very high chance of getting lice.

Do lice jump to spread to other hosts?

No. Lice do not have wings or legs that are powerful enough for jumping from host to host. They move from hair strand to hair strand using their legs which act as a claw. This myth likely originates from how contagious lice is, but has no basis in reality. The only way that lice can spread from person to person is by hair to hair contact, or by sharing hats, brushes, or other hair accessories.

Can dogs and cats get head lice and pass them on?

No. Head lice have adapted specifically to cling to human hair, and cannot cling on to pet hair, which is coarser. Dogs and cats can get lice, although they are less common in healthy animals, but these lice will not spread to people. Lice are all species specific and cannot survive unless they are attached to their specific species host. It is, however, advised that you vacuum the carpet, and bedding as other people can definitely catch lice.

Do head lice carry other diseases?

No. Although highly contagious and annoying, head lice do not carry diseases, and therefore, is not a serious health risk.

Will shaving get rid of head lice?

Yes, as lice need hairs to hold on to, and lay eggs, they cannot live without human hair. However, proper treatment can remove head lice successfully without the need to shave.

Are specialized products required for treating lice?

There are alternatives to using medicated anti-lice shampoos. Shaving is an alternative as lice require hair to cling to the scalp and lay eggs. Using a lice comb, one can individually remove lice and nits (eggs), however, the use of a comb alone will often result in recurrence, as it is easy to miss a few.

I heard that lice-medications are insecticides. Are they safe for children?

Yes, most lice-medicated shampoos are, in fact, insecticides. Available commercial products, however, are safe and effective for treating children and adults. There are also non-insecticide medications that are now available in Canada. One exception is if your child is two years or younger. For young infants, removing the lice by hand is the preferred method of treatment. For more information, please view the Head Lice Treatment page.

I found out that my daughter has lice. Should she skip class today?

First, make sure that your daughter definitely does have lice. They are often small, and hard to identify, and in some cases, dirt, or other bugs may resemble lice. Once confirmed, we recommend that you keep her at home. While lice are not particularly harmful, it is very contagious, and often cause mini-epidemics at schools. Notify your school, as chances are high that your daughter also caught it from other children at school. Many schools will have a "no nit policy" in effect.

 
     
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