Massive Head Lice Infestation Video Will Creep You Out — Why Have 4 Million People Watched It?
Would you videotape your child if they had a massive case of head lice? Probably not, but one mother decided it was something worth showing the world so she uploaded a video to YouTube that shows her combing an overwhelming amount of lice out of her daughter’s hair.
The video above, titled “Really Awesome If Lice, Lice,” has been viewed over 4.2 million times since it was posted a year ago. Compare that to the 300-or-so views that President Obama’s latest video update on Ebola in the U.S. has received on The White House YouTube channel, and you’ll scratch your head and wonder why so many people are interested in watching a mother pull bugs out of her child’s hair.
In the early days you just didn’t have head lice, the head lice had you. Chattanooga TN 1957 pic.twitter.com/JSPv9BS0of
— The Psycholyst (@Psycholyst) August 24, 2014
The Mirror reports that the child’s head lice infestation goes beyond your normal case of pesky nits. Their source, salon owner Dee Write, states that the lice may have been around for so long that they built nests in the youngster’s hair. Nests?! There are no words that can accurately describe the sleepless, and incredibly itchy, nights the child must have experienced with a head full of bugs.
“That looks heavy. We see infestations of that nature. We’ve even seen people with nests. That’s where you’ve got so many lice they’re clumping together. They’re a big ball of lice fighting each other for survival.”
While it’s a good thing that the mother in the video is making an attempt to treat her daughter’s massive case of head lice, she may not be removing them properly. Not only does the video footage show her throwing an occasional nit on the floor, she lets the bugs stay on the nit removal comb until they are piled up high.
Boston Globe medical writer, Dr. Claire McCarthy states that lice should be washed off the comb after each section of hair is combed through and that the hair should be wet — conditioner or detangling spray is suggested — to aid with removal.
“Buy a good comb, and get ready for some quality time together. Have good lighting, and a cup of water (or sink) nearby for cleaning the comb after each swipe.”
If you’ve never seen a head-lice infestation, then by all means take a look at the video above. If bugs give you the creepy-crawlies, you may want to skip the video or just make sure you’ve fully digested your most recent meal before you watch it.
Would you upload a photo of your child’s head lice or is that something that’s better left unshared?
[Image: Wikimedia Commons]
