Instagram users have been buzzing with questions and concerns following actress Jenny Mollen‘s candid video, in which she disclosed her unsettling discovery of head lice mid-flight on an airplane.
Mollen, known for her role in the film “My Best Friend’s Girl” and as the spouse of actor Jason Biggs, revealed that she was traveling from Los Angeles to New York when a friend pointed out her distressing condition, which she had been unknowingly dealing with for two weeks.
ARIZONA FLIGHT PASSENGER GOES VIRAL AFTER LEAVING UNMARKED POWDERY SUBSTANCE IN LUGGAGE, TSA INSPECTS HER BAGS
“The people on that flight. Ugh… poor them,” lamented one user in response to Mollen’s initial post.
Actress Jenny Mollen (not pictured) admitted she boarded a plane and learned she had head lice, sparking social media users to sound off. (iStock)
Another user quipped, “Itching…from here…,” humorously indicating that the news had made them uncomfortable.
“I hope you told the crew,” concerned another user voiced, expressing a sentiment felt by many in the comments section.
Mollen was indeed seen in her video sporting a plastic bag over her head as a makeshift remedy while discussing the experience, which had plagued her for two weeks.
In a follow-up video, Mollen documented her lice removal treatment while addressing the public’s concerns regarding the implications of flying with lice.
HAIR-FREEZING COMPETITION CANCELED DUE TO UNUSUALLY UNCOOPERATIVE WEATHER
“The airplane seat that’s a bummer for whoever sits there next,” she remarked on Instagram while tagging the New York City-based lice removal service, Licenders, illustrating a humorous yet alarming perspective on her discovery.
She clarified, “I wanted to be clear, I did not know I had lice until I was on the airplane,” further discussing the unexpected revelation.
One user took a more extreme stance, asserting, “You should be banned from flying.”
“The world in its oversharing era,” remarked another, highlighting the social media age’s tendency to share intimate details.
“Calm down, People! It’s just lice,” countered a user on the video update, likely trying to diffuse the growing controversy.
Another asked poignantly, “I hope you told the airline.” Concern for fellow passengers was a recurring theme among comments.
FLIGHT PASSENGERS ARE MAKING ‘THE GATE ESCAPE’ IN ATTEMPT TO AVOID ‘POOR AIRPORT EXPERIENCES’
Lice are parasitic insects that thrive on human heads and bodies, spreading primarily through close person-to-person contact, as noted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Lice move by crawling and cannot hop or fly, a fact corroborated by the CDC. (iStock)
Christine Bonanno, owner of the professional lice removal service Fairy LiceMothers, which operates on Long Island, New York, and in Austin, Texas, elaborated on the topic. Bonanno shared with Fox News Digital that the primary method of lice transmission is head-to-head contact.
“It is possible to catch lice while traveling on an airplane,” she explained, stressing that one would only contract it from sitting next to an infested individual, not from the airplane seat itself.
Bonanno added, “The only place lice can live is on a human head… An adult bug will crawl from one head to another – you cannot catch an egg – only a bug,” emphasizing the biological behavior of these pests.
When it comes to treatment, she advised the most effective method involves meticulously combing out all the lice, stressing the importance of communication with those around you so they can undergo checks and treatments as necessary.
“The hair acts as a bridge for lice to crawl from one head to another. So the less hair exposed the better. Hair tied back in a braid or bun helps,” Bonanno recommended.
CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR LIFESTYLE NEWSLETTER
Bonanno, a certified head lice removal clinician, noted that certain scents such as lavender, peppermint, coconut, and tea tree oil could act as natural repellents against lice.
Typically, treatments at removal services like Fairy LiceMothers last from one to two hours, although they may extend further if performed by an individual themselves.
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
“We tell clients, ‘once a week take a peek,’ meaning check yourself for lice weekly, so even if you do get [lice] it will be manageable and easy to treat,” Bonanno advised, offering preventative guidance.
What are the most effective methods for treating lice at home?
**Interview with Christine Bonanno, Owner of Licenders and Lice Removal Expert**
**Editor:** Thank you for joining us, Christine. Social media has been buzzing since Jenny Mollen’s recent admission about discovering head lice while on a flight. What was your first reaction to her video?
**Christine Bonanno:** Thanks for having me. I was surprised but not shocked. Lice are much more common than people realize, and it can happen to anyone. However, the airplane setting does present unique concerns for both the individual and other passengers.
**Editor:** Many users expressed their worries about flying with lice. Can you clarify the risks associated with lice in such close quarters?
**Christine Bonanno:** Absolutely. Lice are transmitted primarily through close contact. While they’re certainly an inconvenience, they can’t jump or fly; they crawl from one head to another. In an airplane, the likelihood of spreading lice is low if passengers maintain some distance and hygiene.
**Editor:** Jenny mentioned in her follow-up video that she had been dealing with lice for two weeks before discovering it. What should individuals do if they suspect they have lice?
**Christine Bonanno:** The first step is to check for lice and nits (lice eggs) in your hair. If you find them, using a lice treatment product or visiting a professional removal service like Licenders is recommended. It’s best to treat it immediately to prevent spreading.
**Editor:** Online comments reveal a mix of concern and humor, with some calling for stricter flying rules in light of this incident. What are your thoughts on this?
**Christine Bonanno:** I think people are reacting from a place of concern for their health and comfort. It’s important to approach such situations with understanding instead of fear. Education about lice is crucial; they are a nuisance, but not a health risk in and of themselves.
**Editor:** Jenny’s video showed her using a plastic bag over her head as a makeshift remedy. Is that an effective strategy?
**Christine Bonanno:** Not at all. While it might have been a humorous attempt to alleviate her situation, it won’t effectively treat lice. Proper lice treatment products and thorough combing with a nit comb are the only reliable methods for complete removal.
**Editor:** Jenny’s openness about her lice experience points to a larger trend of oversharing on social media. What’s your perspective on this?
**Christine Bonanno:** We live in an age where personal health issues are more publicly discussed. While it can help reduce stigma, it’s also important to balance sharing personal experiences with the potential for misinformation. Lice, in particular, should be approached calmly and factually.
**Editor:** Thank you for your insights, Christine. It seems educating the public about lice and how to handle such situations is more important now than ever.
**Christine Bonanno:** Absolutely! And I appreciate the opportunity to discuss this important topic.
