Head Lice Facts

Head Lice Facts

Image Source:  "Male human head louse" by Gilles San Martin - originally posted to Flickr as Male human head louse. Licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0 via Commons - https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Male_human_head_louse.jpg#/media/File:Male_human_head_louse.jpg

1. Lice are spread by head-to-head contact and are much harder to get than a cold, the flu, ear 
infections,pink eye, strep throat or impetigo.

2. Lice do not spread any known disease, nor are they impacted by dirty or clean hygiene. They are just annoying.

3. Head lice need a blood meal every few hours and the warmth of the human scalp to survive.  When off the human body, they cannot survive for more than 24 to 36 hours.

4. Nits are glued to the hair shaft by a cement-like substance and are very hard to remove. When a nymph (baby louse) is hatched, it must quickly have the warmth and food source of a head to survive.

5. The length of a person’s hair does not impact his or her risk of getting head lice. 

6. Head lice are spread through direct head-to-head contact. The lice do not hop, jump or fly, so sitting near someone with head lice does not increase the risk of getting the lice.

7. Transmissions in schools are rare. It is more common to get head lice from family members, overnight guests and playmates who spend a lot of time together. 

8. Although spread through hats or helmets is possible, it is rare. It is more common for transmission to occur from pillows, hairbrushes or sheets. The most common type of transmission is from head-to-head contact.

9. Having regularly scheduled mass screenings does not reduce the incidence of head lice.

10. Research shows “no-nit” policies do not decrease the number of cases of head lice.  They do increase the risk of incorrect diagnosis of head lice, the number of days children are out of school, and negative social stigma associated with head lice.  They also may hinder academic performance.

11. Studies have shown the removal of nits immediately after treatment with a pediculicide is usually not necessary.

12. Head lice are specific to humans. You can get human lice only from other humans. You cannot give your pets lice.

13. Head lice is also called pediculosis. 

14. Head lice are not a major public health concern because they do not spread illness or disease.  

15. Head lice can be a bother because of the discomfort they can cause and how easily they are spread from person to person.