The Facts of Lice
UNDERSTANDING HEAD LICE HELPS REDUCE STRESS AND ENSURES PROPER, EFFECTIVE TREATMENT. BELOW ARE THE MOST IMPORTANT FACTS ABOUT HEAD LICE, HOW THEY LIVE, AND HOW THEY SPREAD.
WHAT HEAD LICE ARE
Head lice are tiny, wingless insects that live on human hair and feed on small amounts of blood from the scalp. They rely entirely on humans to survive.
LICE EGGS (NITS)
Lice eggs, known as nits, are laid by adult female lice and are firmly glued to the hair shaft about ½ inch from the scalp. This makes them difficult to remove without proper combing.
LICE AND HYGIENE
Head lice are not related to cleanliness or hygiene. They can affect anyone, and in many cases, lice actually prefer clean hair.
REPRODUCTION OF LICE
Only adult female lice lay eggs, and they can produce 5–10 nits per day, allowing infestations to grow quickly if not treated.
HOW LICE MOVE AND SPREAD
Lice cannot jump or fly—they only crawl. They spread primarily through direct head-to-head contact, which is why they are common among children.
LICE LIFESPAN
Lice can live for approximately 30 days on the human scalp. Off the scalp, they can survive for only about 48 hours.
LICE AND DISEASE
Head lice do not carry or transmit disease. While they can cause itching and irritation, they are not dangerous to your health.
TREATMENT RESISTANCE (SUPER LICE)
Many lice today are considered “super lice,” meaning they are resistant to common over-the-counter treatments containing permethrin and other chemical pesticides.
AFTER TREATMENT EXPECTATIONS
After a professional lice removal treatment, a residual nit or very small louse may occasionally remain. This is normal and can be easily managed with proper follow-up care.
WATER AND LICE SURVIVAL
Lice cannot swim, but they can hold their breath underwater for up to 5 hours, meaning swimming or washing hair alone will not eliminate lice.
SIZE OF ADULT LICE
Adult head lice are very small, about the size of a sesame seed, making them difficult to detect without careful inspection.
PETS AND LICE
Lice are human parasites and cannot live on pets. Animals do not spread head lice.
CAUSE OF ITCHING
Itching associated with lice is typically caused by an allergic reaction to lice saliva, not from the lice crawling on the scalp.
HISTORY OF LICE
Head lice have existed since recorded history and continue to be a common issue worldwide, especially among school-aged children.
HEAD LICE ARE A COMMON AND MANAGEABLE CONDITION. THEY ARE NOT DANGEROUS, NOT RELATED TO HYGIENE, AND CAN BE EFFECTIVELY TREATED WITH PROPER PROFESSIONAL CARE AND FOLLOW-UP.
