Head licecan cause a high level of anxiety. While there are many myths about how lice are spread, simple head-to-head contact is the usual culprit.Lice can spread via clothing, bedding, or other personal items, though this is not common. Head lice infestation affects millions of children and adults each year, in every socioeconomic condition. While undesirable, lice don’t spread any diseases.
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Common Causes
The head louse is the parasitic insectPediculus humanus capitis.Head lice like to live close to the scalp where they feed several times a day on blood. They can be found on the hair of the head,eyebrows, and eyelashes. They are especially likely to be found behind the ears and at the neckline.
While lice are a nuisance, they do not spread disease.
Life Cycle of Lice
Lice go through these phases:
Spread of Lice
Head-to-head (or hair-to-hair) contact is the easiest way for lice to spread. The biggest risk groups are children in preschool, daycare, and school, and their families.
While it’s most common in young children, lice can spread to people of any age.
African Americans are less likely to have lice. It may be that the claws of the lice are adapted to grasp a hair shaft of a certain size and shape, which is less common among that demographic group.For others, lice can be found in hair of all lengths, short or long, and whether the hair is curly or straight.
Researchers have not found an association between sharing combs, brushes, wall hooks, or lockers and getting lice. However, if someone in your family has lice, it’s still a good idea to avoid sharing these items.
Parents typically blame other kids at school when their kids get lice, but some lice experts think that kids are more likely to get lice from family members at home or these other situations where head-to-head contact is likely:
Body Lice Bites: Steps to Identifying and Treating Them
Lifestyle Risk Factors
Lifestyle choices (other than those relating to head-to-head or hair-to-hair contact) don’t generally influence your risk of head lice. Lice infestations are not related to hygiene, either personal (showering, washing hair) or environmental (the cleanliness of the home or school).
Lice infestations occur in families ofallsocioeconomic classes.
The following can contribute to the risk that it can be passed along to others.
If your child has lice, call your child’s school nurse or program coordinator to report it.
Myths and Misinformation
Myths and misinformation can continue the cycle of spreading lice and getting an infestation again and again. Don’t believe these common statements:
Getting lice is a routine childhood and family problem. Panicking about them shouldn’t be. Even if you or your child has a case that is hard to get rid of, your healthcare provider can help with treatment advice.
Head Lice Doctor Discussion GuideGet our printable guide for your next doctor’s appointment to help you ask the right questions.Download PDFEmail AddressSign UpThank you, {{form.email}}, for signing up.There was an error. Please try again.
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Frequently Asked Questions
According to the American Academy of Dermatology, there are lots of reason your head and scalp mightitchthat do not involve lice:DandruffHivesScabiesRingwormPsoriasisAtopic dermatitis (eczema)Nerve problemsSkin cancerHair care products
According to the American Academy of Dermatology, there are lots of reason your head and scalp mightitchthat do not involve lice:
7 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Mayo Clinic.Head lice.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Pediculosis.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Head lice.Meister L, Ochsendorf F.Head lice. Dtsch Arztebl Int. 2016;113(45):763-772. doi:10.3238/arztebl.2016.0763.American Academy of Pediatrics. healthychildren.org.Head lice: what parents need to know.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Treatment of head lice.American Academy of Dermatology.10 reasons your scalp itches and how to get relief.Additional ReadingDevore CD, Schutze GE.Head lice.Pediatrics. 2015;135(5). doi:10.1542/peds.2015-0746.Meister L, Ochsendorf F.Head lice: epidemiology, biology, diagnosis and treatment.Deutsches Ärzteblatt International. 2016;113(45):763-772. doi:10.3238/arztebl.2016.0763.
7 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Mayo Clinic.Head lice.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Pediculosis.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Head lice.Meister L, Ochsendorf F.Head lice. Dtsch Arztebl Int. 2016;113(45):763-772. doi:10.3238/arztebl.2016.0763.American Academy of Pediatrics. healthychildren.org.Head lice: what parents need to know.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Treatment of head lice.American Academy of Dermatology.10 reasons your scalp itches and how to get relief.Additional ReadingDevore CD, Schutze GE.Head lice.Pediatrics. 2015;135(5). doi:10.1542/peds.2015-0746.Meister L, Ochsendorf F.Head lice: epidemiology, biology, diagnosis and treatment.Deutsches Ärzteblatt International. 2016;113(45):763-772. doi:10.3238/arztebl.2016.0763.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Mayo Clinic.Head lice.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Pediculosis.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Head lice.Meister L, Ochsendorf F.Head lice. Dtsch Arztebl Int. 2016;113(45):763-772. doi:10.3238/arztebl.2016.0763.American Academy of Pediatrics. healthychildren.org.Head lice: what parents need to know.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Treatment of head lice.American Academy of Dermatology.10 reasons your scalp itches and how to get relief.
Mayo Clinic.Head lice.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Pediculosis.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Head lice.
Meister L, Ochsendorf F.Head lice. Dtsch Arztebl Int. 2016;113(45):763-772. doi:10.3238/arztebl.2016.0763.
American Academy of Pediatrics. healthychildren.org.Head lice: what parents need to know.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Treatment of head lice.
American Academy of Dermatology.10 reasons your scalp itches and how to get relief.
Devore CD, Schutze GE.Head lice.Pediatrics. 2015;135(5). doi:10.1542/peds.2015-0746.Meister L, Ochsendorf F.Head lice: epidemiology, biology, diagnosis and treatment.Deutsches Ärzteblatt International. 2016;113(45):763-772. doi:10.3238/arztebl.2016.0763.
Devore CD, Schutze GE.Head lice.Pediatrics. 2015;135(5). doi:10.1542/peds.2015-0746.
Meister L, Ochsendorf F.Head lice: epidemiology, biology, diagnosis and treatment.Deutsches Ärzteblatt International. 2016;113(45):763-772. doi:10.3238/arztebl.2016.0763.
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