Hugs are the ultimate genuine-yet-moderate display of affection, and it’s quite natural that friends and family will hug when they first see each other and particularly if there’s been any long absence between them. But might a person be hesitant to embrace someone if they knew that other person has head lice? Depends on the individual, but the real problem is that often people don’t know they have lice for the first initial while after getting them. Lice being microscopic and able to hide in hair is what allows for that unawareness, but can you get lice from a hug? 

Lice are parasites of opportunity, and they will happily make their way to another scalp if there’s the chance to do so. When people hug it’s quite likely their heads will be right next to each other’s, and especially if there is not much of a height difference between them. In this type of instance it may be possible to get lice from a hug, so it’s a yes for can you get lice from hugging. There’s going to be a greater chance of it if similar heights mean the heads are aligned with each other during the embrace, and it’s also more likely if both individuals have long hair.  

You’re probably asking what does hair length have to do with can you get lice from a hug. Lice can’t jump, but they’ll take the easiest path from moving from one human to another if it’s available to them. The extended strands of long hair are perfect for that and so if it’s two people with long flowing locks hugging then it may be the lice are able to move from one head to another when the long hair of one hugger brushes up the long hair of the other. It’s unfortunate that lice are so contagious, but they really are.  

Look Out Ladies  

So it may well be that it is women who will be more inclined to ask can you get lice from a hug, because far more women have long hair than men. Women who do have long tresses are not going to put their hair up in a ponytail before they hug a friend or family member in the same way they’re not going to remove their makeup just because they’re upset. Either suggestion is silly, so what can people do to avoid getting lice while still behaving normally day in and out? 

That’s where we’ll go to conclude this look at can you get lice from a hug. It is hard to avoid getting lice if someone brings you into close proximity with them, but a few of the things you can do to prevent getting lice is to not share personal belongings that will be have prolonged contact with the head. Examples of this stuff can be hats, scarves, and coats and it will go without saying that you should only use your own combs, brushes, and other hair grooming / scalp health implements. Order OTC medications and health products online from Canada to save money on them.