Unexpected Discovery on a Flight

In an unexpected turn of events, actress Jenny Mollen made a startling discovery while boarding a five-hour flight from Los Angeles to New York City. The 45-year-old star, known for her role in “American Pie” and married to Jason Biggs, learned she had head lice in a rather inconvenient location: on an airplane.

Sharing the News

Mollen shared the news with her followers via an Instagram video from her plane seat on October 29. With a plastic bag humorously perched atop her head, she recounted the moment: “I’m on a plane with Caroline, and I suddenly realized something was off. Remember when I said my head was itchy? Well, guess what? I have freaking lice! This is insane!”

Common Yet Stigmatized

While lice infestations are surprisingly common — affecting millions of people each year according to the Cleveland Clinic — Mollen claimed she's never dealt with such a situation before. She suspected that the pesky critters had been “living on [her] for two weeks,” explaining the persistent itchiness she had been experiencing.

Online Reactions

This candid revelation sparked quite a buzz online, with many of Mollen's followers criticizing her for flying with lice. Comments ranged from concern for fellow passengers to outright disgust at the situation. “Do you know the airline can sue you? That’s not cool,” one user warned, while another expressed their disappointment at the potential spread of lice on the flight.

Continued Drama

But the drama didn’t end there. Just a day later, Mollen posted another video declaring her home was “infested with lice.” She talked about their attempts to tackle the problem, humorously stating, “We’re peeling out the lice. Last night we put the shampoo on and killed everybody,” clarifying she meant the lice, not her family members. Despite her husband only having found two eggs, their two sons were less fortunate, having full-blown infestations.

Apology and Responsibility

Acknowledging her error in flying while unknowingly infested, Mollen apologized, saying, “I know it’s a bummer for whoever sits in that airplane seat next. I genuinely didn’t know I had lice until I was on the plane. I thought I was just experiencing perimenopause symptoms.”

Light-hearted Blame

In a light-hearted manner, Mollen even jokingly blamed her husband, Jason Biggs, for not catching the lice earlier despite her requests for him to check her head. Interestingly, this surprising episode has led to a conversation about personal hygiene on public transportation and raised awareness about head lice, a topic often shrouded in stigma.

A Takeaway for Travelers

Jenny Mollen’s unexpected encounter not only highlights a relatable albeit uncomfortable subject but also serves as a reminder of the importance of awareness and communication regarding personal health, especially when it comes to communal spaces like airplanes. So, the next time you’re itching to travel, make sure to check for those pesky critters—your fellow passengers will thank you!