Myth: Pediculosis is a consequence of poor hygiene

There is a common misconception that lice are caused by poor hygiene. However, in practice, lice can appear even in those who wash their hair regularly and practice good hygiene. These insects have amazing survivability and can survive even in water at low temperatures, which means clean hair and skin are not a reliable defense against them. Removing lice and their eggs, or nits, from your scalp can be a challenging task that requires care and time.

Lice are not able to move long distances: they do not fly, do not jump, and move only short distances, crawling only a few centimeters. They are transmitted from person to person, usually during close contact of heads or through shared personal hygiene items. Therefore, it is important to maintain personal hygiene and avoid close contact with infected individuals to prevent the spread of head lice. Sharing personal care items should also be avoided to minimize the risk of lice transmission.

Transfer of lice from pets to humans is impossible. Among the many species of lice that exist on the planet, only three can parasitize humans, and they are not related to lice that live on animals. Thus, transmission of head lice occurs exclusively from person to person.

Pediculosis can occur even without itching, especially if the number of lice is small or the person does not have an allergic reaction to their saliva.
Lice can only carry typhus pathogens, but in modern conditions this disease is extremely rare in Russia.

Myth: Kerosene and vinegar can help fight head lice

There is a myth that kerosene and vinegar can help fight head lice. However, the effectiveness of such drugs has not been scientifically proven, since clinical studies have not been conducted. Even though these products can actually help get rid of lice, they may come with side effects and risks.
Vinegar is often used as a home remedy for head lice. However, a study conducted in 2004 showed that its effectiveness was low.

Vinegar was less effective than vaseline, which killed 6% of lice eggs. Other home remedies, such as mayonnaise and vegetable oil, also have very little healing effect.

Although lice most often occurs in schoolchildren, about 60% of children suffering from this disease contract it at home from relatives. Despite this, schools are not always the main source of lice infestations because there is not always the opportunity for close contact between students.

Lice cannot survive without food for more than two days. If the lice falls on the floor, the likelihood of re-infestation of the hair is already low. It is recommended to simply wash the floor and wash bedding and underwear at temperatures above 60 degrees Celsius.