Head lice: the social stigma
For some reason head lice still seem to have a social stigma, despite the fact that anyone can get them - even the cleanest families. Lice infestations can hit any family: regardless of cleanliness, social status or personal hygiene.
Why the stigma?
Head lice can be difficult to control - which is why so many people recoil in horror at their mere mention. But it's important to remember that head lice are just as easy to catch as a virus - and they're nothing to be ashamed of.
Speaking up
Because head lice gets transferred back and forth between children it's important to speak up and tell other parents when we find head lice on our child. The more we normalise head lice by talking about it as just another childhood condition the less stigma there will be.
Getting educated
Misinformation about head lice also leads to stigma. Some scare stories make it seem like head lice are in plague proportions - and as difficult to eradicate. Which is why so many recoil at the mere mention of the critters. But education can be your best weapon.
Read more about head lice:
- Head lice and schools
- Facing the head lice challenge at back to school time
- 30 real life head lice cures from Kidspot mums (what works and what doesn't)
- The cheap and cheerful conditioner trick to banish lice
- Read about the new pill to cure head lice
- Head lice facts
- Head lice treatments
- What are nits
- What are head lice
Ready Set Learn
This article was written by Linda Drummond for Kidspot, New Zealand's largest education resource, from sources including Victoria Health
