Jenny Mollen, actress and author, faced backlash after revealing she unknowingly boarded a five-hour flight from Los Angeles to New York City with a lice infestation. In an Instagram video, Mollen detailed her discovery, stating she initially mistook the itchiness for “perimenopause symptoms.” The revelation came mid-flight when her travel companion noticed lice in her hair. "I have f---ing lice," Mollen shared, wearing a plastic bag on her head during the video.
The incident sparked criticism online, with followers calling her actions "disgusting" and urging her to inform flight attendants. One user commented, “You’re going to spread that all over the plane. You should be ashamed of yourself.” Mollen responded in a follow-up post, clarifying, “I didn’t know I had lice until I was on the airplane,” emphasizing she would not have traveled had she been aware.
Mollen, married to actor Jason Biggs, later shared that her entire family, including her sons Lazlo, 5, and Sid, 8, were also dealing with lice infestations. "We’re peeling out the lice," she said in another video, describing the treatment process at home. She humorously blamed her husband for initially dismissing her concerns: “Let’s just blame my husband for not looking closely enough at my head.”
According to the Cleveland Clinic, lice infestations affect millions annually, spreading only through direct contact or shared personal items. Preventive measures include avoiding the sharing of hair accessories and prompt treatment upon symptoms. Mollen concluded her posts with updates on treating her family and an apology to future users of the plane seat.
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