Many of us remember whispering about the classmate who left school early because they had lice, the evasive bug that make scalps their homes. The unlucky, banished kid considered dirty and unkempt, the object of our pity and disgust.
The idea lice are the direct consequence of poor personal hygiene is one of the many myths about the age-old condition. Krista Lauer, medical director of Lice Clinics of America, said lice do not discriminate between the clean and dirty members of our society, or the rich and poor.
Lice are "equal opportunity infesters," said Lauer, who argues it's about time we dispel those stigmas.
