Hair lice (head lice), also called Pediculus humanus capitis, is the most common type of lice. Other types of lice include body lice and pubic lice. Lice are also known as louse.
Lice are parasitic insects that are usually found on people’s heads. Having head lice is very common. It is estimated that 6-12 million people in the USA get head lice every year. Head lice is not considered a serious disease, but is embarrassing to have and can cause uncomfortable itching.
Adult female lice lay eggs, called nits. These nits are firmly attached to the base of the hair shaft, closest to the scalp. The nits are often confused for dandruff. After a week or so, the nit hatches into a baby louse called a nymph. Nymph’s look like adult louses, but are smaller. They become an adult in 10 days, and as an adult live for about 30 days. To live, nymphs and adult lice must feed on blood. If the louse falls off a person and cannot feed, it will die within 2 days.
Fortunately, there is a very safe and effective lice treatment. It is all natural, contains no harsh chemicals, and kills all lice and their eggs (nits) in just one application. For information on the best hair lice cure, follow this link to the Fairy Tales Lice Removal Kit. For additional information about lice, please continue reading.
Who Can Get Lice
Anyone can get lice. You are at greatest risk of getting hair lice if you come into close contact with someone who already has head lice. Head to head contact is the most common way to get lice, however, you can also get it from contact with an infected persons clothing (such as hat, coat, scarves, hair ribbon) or other personal items (such as a brush, comb or a towel). Head lice cannot jump or fly.
Young children, ages 3-10, and their families are most often infested. Girls get lice more often then boys, and women more often than men. A person’s degree of cleanliness or personal hygiene has nothing to do with getting head lice. Hair lice are much less common in African Americans, due to their hair type.
Hair Lice Symptoms
While some people have no symptoms, most people will have some or all of the following symptoms:
- Frequent feeling of something moving in their hair.
- Nits that look like whitish shells are found attached to the base of hair strands near the scalp.
- Scalp itching that is caused by an allergic reaction to the lice bites.
- Irritability.
- Red sores that can become infected if repeatedly scratched.
Where Are Head Lice Found
Hair lice are found on the scalp, behind the ears and near the hairline at the neck. They are rarely found in eyelashes, eyebrows or on the body. They are difficult to see, and can change color to match the host hair.
Lice have six legs. At the end of each leg is a hook like claw that they use to hold on to hair with. (Click Here For More Pictures)
We will now go over lice treatment, and discuss the best lice cure.
Hair Lice Treatment
We have been recommending a lice cure for several years now. It is all-natural, and begins to work in just 7 minutes. It stops the itching, and kills the lice and their eggs. The manufacturer is so confident in the product that they give an unconditional money back guarantee. For more information on the best lice treatment, follow this link to the Fairy Tales Lice Removal Kit.
In addition to lice treatment, all household members should be checked for lice and nits. Also, the infected persons bed linens and clothing should be washed in hot water. Non-washable items like stuffed animals should be put in plastic bags for 2 weeks, and then opened outside. Combs and brushes should be soaked in alcohol or hot water for 5 minutes. The water should be at least 131°F or 55°C.
If you have any questions about head lice treatment, please contact us. If you have a hair lice cure and want our opinion on it, please let us know.
Additional Reading:
What does lice look like – Extensive photos of lice. Includes lice pictures as adults, nymphs and nits. General information and treatment recommendations.
Home remedy for head lice – See which lice home remedy works best. Find out if they are safe. Some home remedies can cause hair loss or an allergic reaction, get more information.
Pubic lice – Learn about pubic lice. Commonly referred to as crabs, these lice are usually sexually transmitted. Treatment advice for pubic lice crabs.
Burrowing lice – Learn about scabies, which often are referred to as burrowing lice. Scabies mites live under the skin, and need to be treated differently than lice.
If your considering using home remedies lice, please first take a look at our lice removal home remedy, peanut butter kill lice and occlusive oils head lice pages. We also have head lice pictures, and information on the lifecycle of lice, including a lice nymphs page. In response to several emails we have received on hair lice treatment, we have added pages on lice infestation in kids and how to know when are head lice gone. We also have special sections on how do I prevent lice and head lice UK.