Does Having Lice Mean You Have Poor Hygiene?

There’s a saying that first impressions are last impressions. We judge people based on how they present themselves when we first meet them. The way they talk, the way they dress, their mannerisms, their outlook on life; all of these are important.

By the end of the meeting, we’re either left impressed, or with a bitter aftertaste in our mouth.

Have you ever met someone who left a powerful impression on you? Whether it was negative or positive, you probably remembered them the moment you read this.

That’s how first impressions work. And when you’re dealing with something like head lice, they can leave people with numerous questions like, “Does he or she even bathe?”

This is a good question. If you’ve ever encountered someone with head lice, or struggled with the problem before, you probably remember this question popping up from time to time.

But is it really true? Are lice the result of poor hygiene? Let’s take a look and find out:

Lice Only Care About Human Blood

Lice are similar to bed bugs—they only care about feeding on human blood. Whether the scalp is dirty or clean, as long as they can get access to your blood, lice remain neutral.

There’s no evidence that suggests that head lice need a certain type of environment in order to survive. There is a certain temperature that helps them thrive and lay eggs, though.

The average human’s body temperature is 98.6◦F (37◦C) and the average louse needs 18◦C to survive. Nits need humid temperatures to hatch.

This is because they get the warmth they need in order to fully develop inside the shells. Humidity often leads to sweating, which is probably why there are misconceptions about personal hygiene and head lice.

What to do About the Problem

The first thing you should do is keep in mind that head lice are a common problem, with 6 to 12 million people in the U.S. contracting lice every year. But if you’ve tried everything in the book and still can’t get rid of the pesky critters, the devil is in the details.

Most individuals don’t know what to do in the situation (which is understandable). They often go to the nearest department store and buy all the anti-lice products and combs they can find.

But here’s the catch: the products that are supposed to help are the ones that do the most damage.

Confused? Let us explain.

Most anti-lice products—specifically anti-lice shampoos—contain harmful chemicals like lindane and ovide. Research conducted by the Environment Protection Agency shows that lindane has been classified as carcinogenic. And yet, it’s still used in lice products.

The worst part is that these products are aimed at desperate and unaware parents who don’t know anything about its consequences.

Ovide is also an insect repellant. But it’s just as strong as lindane. Most products that contain ovide advice that it is applied to the roots of your hair and left there for 8 hours!

Home remedies are also similar. Even though they’re not laden with lindane and ovide, they do have harmful ingredients that can damage your hair. Some of these include tea tree oil, Listerine, mouthwash, and baking soda that can make your hair dry and brittle if directly applied to the scalp.

Why Lice Treatment Centers Are the Solution

You’re probably wondering what a ‘lice treatment center’ is. Lice specialists are experts in removing nits and lice from each strand of hair. Using pesticide free products and quality combs (that don’t damage hair follicles), they prioritize your health and take care of the problem naturally.

Lice Busters USA is one such service. Our clinic offers natural head lice treatments in Orlando. Our experts have adequate training and immense experience in removing head lice in you and your child’s hair. Using natural products, we understand the importance of keeping your child safe during the process.

From in-home treatments to home inspections, we have everything under one roof.

Feel free to call us at (800) 405-8201 to book an appointment or feel free to visit our Orlando treatment center!