Myth buster

The truth about head lice

1. Head lice can be found on clean or dirty hair, they have no preference!
   
   
2. Head lice cannot jump, swim or fly. They walk from one head to another by close, prolonged head contact.
   
   
3. It’s not only children that catch head lice. Anyone can catch head lice, including Mum, Dad or Gran!
   
   
4. Itching is not always a symptom of head lice. Only 30% of people with head lice will have an itchy head.
   
   
5. You cannot catch head lice from pets; they can only live on human heads.
   
   
6. It’s not only people with long hair that can catch head lice, short hair provides no protection.
   
   
7. If your child has head lice there is no need to keep them off school. However, you should inform the school and any other children that your child may have come into contact with. This process is known as ‘contact tracing’.