Lice Information

Head Lice Information

What are head lice?
Also called Pediculus humanus capitis (peh-DICK-you-lus HUE-man-us CAP-ih-TUS), head lice are parasitic insects found on the heads of people. Having head lice is very common. However, there is no reliable data on how many people get head lice in the United States each year.

Who is at risk for getting head lice?
Anyone who comes in close contact with someone who already has head lice, or contact with clothing or other personal items (such as brushes or towels) that belong to an infested person. Preschool and elementary-age children, 3-10, and their families are infested most often. Girls get head lice more often than boys, women more than men.

Where are head lice most commonly found?
They are most commonly found on the scalp, behind the ears and near the neckline at the back of the neck. Head lice hold on to hair with hook-like claws found at the end of each of their six legs. Head lice are rarely found on the body, eyelashes, or eyebrows.

What are the signs and symptoms of head lice infestation?

• Tickling feeling of something moving in the hair.
• Itching, caused by an allergic reaction to the bites.
• Irritability.
• Sores on the head caused by scratching. These sores can sometimes become infected.

How did my child get head lice?

• Contact with an already infested person. Contact is common
  during play at school and at home (slumber parties, sports
  activities, at camp, on a playground).
• Wearing infested clothing, such as hats, scarves, coats, sports
  uniforms, or hair ribbons.
• Using infested combs, brushes, or towels. Lying on a bed, couch, pillow, carpet, or stuffed animal that has
  recently been in contact with an infested person.