Lice are not the result of poor hygiene

Head lice have nothing to do with a "bad" or "dirty" household; they occur in all families, regardless of how often they shower or vacuum. Lice primarily seek out a warm scalp and blood to feed on, and don't distinguish between clean and greasy hair.

Head lice spread primarily through direct head-to-head contact, for example, during playtime, sports, or sleepovers. This means that busy classrooms, sports clubs, and after-school programs are much more important for spreading the disease than the cleanliness of a house.

The persistent idea that lice are a sign of poor hygiene unfortunately makes parents feel embarrassed and sometimes doesn't seek help in a timely manner. By debunking this myth, it becomes easier to talk openly about head lice and to treat them quickly and collaboratively, thus limiting further infestation.