Why do people assume you are dirty if you get lice?

Question

I ask a lice question, and I get 500 "wash your hair! ew!" answers. I got them from my toddler who got them from his preschool, how is that my fault, or a matter of cleanliness? Don't people realize that lice don't "wash out" of your hair??? Why is everyone so judgemental on this forum?

Answer 1

It is usually easier to "assume" something than to take a step back and examine something. Assume--makes an *** out of u & me. Not you literally, just a figure of speech. Years ago the most common lice infestations were mainly seen in those people who were filthy people. Their houses, cars, clothes, bodies stunk to high heaven. Also the common rat is a carrier of lice, and generally associated with filth. A person can get lice by getting close to someone with them. The people who assumed you needed to wash your hair, better wake up and smell the lice shampoo! A person can go shopping and come in contact lice, and not even realize it. That means they can shower everday, and still end up with a lice infestation, and not even know where it came from. I used to work for a small motor factory, and there was a woman there who had some hygiene problems. Though she worked on a machine a way from the majority of the plant guess what? We all got lice!! Simple solution for future reference: For you toddler mix 1/2 water with 1/2 apple cider vinegar and use it like conditioner only leave it in his/her hair 10 minutes then rinse it out. Not only will this usually get rid of the lice if caught quickly, it will also aid in preventing them. For yourself use straight apple cider vinegar. Leave in 10 minutes then rinse out. Yes it stinks, & you will probably still smell it even after you rinse it out. However, it is good for your hair, and will not hurt it. Should not be used on colored hair, as it will strip the color. Be very careful not to get it into your or your childs eyes as it burns more than any shampoo ever has. You can use white vinegar to wash bedding and such. Just leave in washer soaking an extra 15 -20 minutes. About a 1/2 gallon per full load. You can also mix 3/4 white vinegar to 1/4 water in a spray bottle, and lightly spray cloth furniture, draperies, vehicle upholstery, etc.....the vinegar smell will fade in a few days, and in the mean time you will have saved money and gotten rid of the lice and any chance of immediate re-infestation. Judgemental--To form an opinion of a subject that one knows nothing about. :) Apparently the majority U thought U heard from B-4 did not know what they were talking about. Smile, & have a good day!!

Answer 2

I totally agree. Unfortunately it's a force of nature. It's not that you have dirty hair. General con census Lice Like clean hair.
Funny but true. Dirty hair doesn't help either, but it depends on the environment you live in.
Children have a habit of picking up all sorts of virus- bugs etc from each other and bring it on home.
Its mother nature and human nature. Do your thing keep watch and buy the appropriate product to rid yourself of the lice. Also
do the same to you children.
Unfortunately its something that does re occur. Just like having Bed bugs. We all have and sleep with them. We just don't know they are there.
Wait till the scratching starts, you'll soon have them. Summer is here.

Answer 3

It is not their fault. It is a common believe that lice are gotten if you are dirty. Beside the majority of the population who has them, are the people who are dirty. It is just like all the other myth going around and that the reason why there is need for health education to expand its curriculum.

Answer 4

You are right there are so many people that are judgmental It does not mean that you are not clean if you get lice but if you get them and don't do anything to get rid of them that is dirty. and you are right they don't just wash out so comes the phrase nit picking, going thru with a fine tooth comb both have to be done and a whole lot else clothes washed sheets washed if furniture is cloth need to disinfect so good luck been there done that.

Answer 5

I guess those people are not very smart. Any body can get lice. In fact they seem to like clean hair. There was an artcle in one of my parenting magazines about how bad lice has been going around and how hard it is to get rid of. It was a good article it was in parenting it had some good tips in it. In fact I saved the aticle I figured it might come in handy if my liitle one ever brings them home. Don't let those ignorant people get you down and good luck.

Answer 6

They do it because having lice, carries a stigma with it, they dont have any idea that lice only live in clean hair.....and that it isnt a matter of cleanliness but that everyone can get them.....

Answer 7

Lice in preschool, is like getting the common cold. We had to do it twice last year because of outbreaks in the school. I now always put in mouse or gel they only like clean hair, so far so good. The people that are ewwwing are obviously stupid, so don't let that bother you.

Answer 8

You can get medicated shampoo that will get rid of them.

Lice prefer straight hair. Straight hair has a round cross-section and lice hold on to the hair strand with a hook that holds well on straight hair. Curly hair has a flat cross-section, the flatter it is, the curlier it gets. Lice can live on ******* hair, but it's definitely not their favorite real estate.

Answer 9

Such ignorant people then...Lice prefer clean hair. So you'd kinda have to be the opposite of dirty for lice to want to be in your hair, dontcha think?

Answer 10

To Question #1: Because we associate lice with dirt.
To Question #2: Because we associate lice with dirt.
To Question #3: (sigh) I wish I knew.