When you see two people making funny faces at a phone held out in front of them, it is safe to assume that they are taking a selfie. Whether it be through Snapchat, Twitter or Instagram, teenagers have been taking an increased amount of selfies. Experts are now linking this new trend to head lice.
Lice is transferred through head-to-head contact in as few as 30 seconds.
Marcy McQuillan, owner of Nitless Noggins Head Lice Treatment Center in California, said she has recently noticed an increase of high school students in need of lice treatments.
Before treating, she asks to see recent pictures on the patient’s cell phone to see who he or she has been around. She said she frequently sees kids in the selfies who she has recently treated.
As obscure as it may sound, lice experts like McQuillan hypothesize that lice is becoming more prevalent as social media outlets, specifically selfies, are becoming a bigger part of teenagers’ lives. Putting heads together, even for a short time to send a picture, is enough time to transfer lice.
“The stigma of lice being a dirty thing is truly the complete opposite,” said McQuillan. “The stigma [comes from] how, when you have it, you feel dirty.”
Sophomore Simone Levin is a self-proclaimed, avid selfie taker and she said this unexpected link to head lice will not discourage her from continuing to take selfies until it is proven accurate.
“[I will] just be more aware and maybe just [take selfies] for a few short seconds,” Levin said.
According to McQuillan, the best way to avoid lice is by wearing one’s hair up in a bun or tight braid.
“I think that people need to be aware anytime you’re in a group setting where you have a lot of head-to-head contact, especially with this new technology,” McQuillan said.
She does not expect, nor want, teenagers to stop taking selfies.
“I wouldn’t say stop taking selfies,” said McQuillan. “Not at all. They’re too much fun. I would just say be aware. If you have taken quite a few selfies and feel itchy, have someone check you to make sure you don’t have head lice.”