As common as head lice are, there is an abundance of persistent misunderstandings about them. (Many of these myths are as persistent as the lice themselves!) Here are some common myths about head lice and the facts behind the misconceptions.

Lice Can Jump

Lice do not have wings. They cannot fly and they cannot jump. Instead, they move by crawling. That is why direct head-to-head contact, such as kids putting their heads together while playing, is the most common way for head lice to spread from one person to another.

You Are More Likely to Get Head Lice If You Have Bad Personal Hygiene Habits 

Getting head lice has absolutely nothing to do with personal hygiene or the cleanliness of a home. And washing your hair will not get rid of lice, which cling to hair follicles, nor nits (lice eggs), which are extremely sticky and cling to hair.

An Itchy Head Means Your Child Most Likely Has Head Lice

Itchy scalp is one of the common symptoms of head lice. But there can be other causes of itchy scalp, such as seborheic dermatitis (dandruff) or dry skin. Moreover, some children who have head lice may not experience itching.

Head Lice Prefer Long Hair

Lice do not care whether hair is short, long, clean, or dirty. Lice thrive in hair, period, specifically on the blood they get through the scalp.

You Can Get Head Lice From Pets (And Vice Versa)

Lice cannot be transmitted from pets, and pets cannot get them from people.

Head Lice Carry and Transmit Diseases

The good news is that lice have not been shown to spread disease. That said, they can be extremely bothersome. Children who have head lice can experience intense itching and develop a rash from the bites, and the skin can become infected from scratching. They can feel irritable and have trouble sleeping because they are itchy. And of course, lice can be emotionally upsetting for a child and for their family.

To Kill the Lice, You Must Stuff All Your Child’s Belongings in Plastic Bags, and Put Them in a Freezer 

This used to be the recommendation years ago, but it is understood today that lice do not survive very long away from a host. The best way to handle a lice infestation in your environment is to simply vacuum any items and areas you think your child may have rested their head on, wash their linens and towels with hot water, and put them in a hot dryer to kill any lice or nits. However, items that can’t be washed or vacuumed may be placed in a plastic bag for 2 weeks, which will kill the lice.

Kids Are Most Likely to Get Head Lice in School

This is a common misconception, probably stemming from the fact that school-age children are at an increased risk for getting head lice. The fact is, kids tend to get head lice from places and activities where they are more likely to have direct head-to-head contact. Sharing personal items, such as combs, bedding, towels and hair accessories may also spread lice, but this mode of transmission is much less likely to cause head lice. The most common sources of head lice infestations are school, camp, daycare, slumber parties, and sports activities, among others.

Head Lice Are Extremely Contagious and Children Who Have Head Lice Should Be Isolated

The truth is that lice are most frequently spread through head-to-head contact, which allows the lice to travel from one person to another. Since they cannot jump from one person to another, transmission can be prevented by taking such precautions as not sharing personal items and avoiding close contact. Isolation of a child who has head lice, or keeping him out of school, as long as he has begun treatment, is not necessary.

Natural Alternative Treatments for Head Lice Are Always Safe and Effective for Kids

The truth is that parents must be cautious when using products that are touted as being “natural” to treat their child’s head lice. Many products are not approved by the Department of Health