HEAD LICE MYTHS & FACTS

Head lice, or pediculus humanus capitis, are parasites that only feed on human blood and are transmitted mostly from hair to hair contact. Although they are transmitted minimally by pillows, hats, bedding, chairs, etc., it only takes one female louse to spread an infestation. They've been around for quite a while- as evidenced by having been found on the hair and scalps of Egyptian mummies!

Head lice spread mostly from head-to-head contact with an infested individual, and less commonly by items such as hats, hair ties, scarves, pillows, etc.

Symptoms of having lice often include feeling a tickling sensation or something moving through the hair. Some individuals have an allergic reaction to lice bits, which causes itching. Head lice prefer the crown of the head, behind the ears and near the neckline at the base of the head, with viable eggs usually located within 1/4 inch from the scalp.

As lice are nimble, it is is very common for close family or friends of infested individuals to contract lice as well. It very often leads to reinfestation if all members of a household are not checked for head lice.

Beware of services that leave dead lice and their eggs (nits) behind. Nothing kills all the lice and nits effectively. The absence of skillfully combing them out is a major contributor to reinfestation. But, even so, do you want a head with dead lice and nits or NO lice and nits? Lice Liberators guarantees you leave lice and nit free. Our certified lice removal treatment specialists comb out the lice and nits no one wants left behind. There are no exceptions. We make no excuses. You and your children are worth it.

Eggs: Eggs are laid by adult female lice and usually take about 7-9 days to hatch into nymphs. Nymphs: Nymphs are immature lice grow into adults about a 7-9 days after hatching from their egg. Adults: Adult lice can live about 30 days on an individual's head. If they come off the host, they usually die within 24 hours from starvation. Female adult lice lay about 4 to 8 eggs per day and can lay 100 or more eggs during their lifetime. The eggs are glued to hair shafts and hatch in 4-10 days. It takes another 9-12 days for the female louse to mature. She mates 24 hours later and starts laying eggs.

A 'nit' is usually referring to an empty shell, whereas an 'egg' is usually referring to a viable (not yet hatched) egg.

Without a microscope, there is no way to tell whether a non-empty shell is viable or not.

Wearing hair of any length tied back, avoiding head-to-head contact, and refraining from sharing hair accessories, combs, towels or clothes used by an infested individual. Machine wash with hot water and dry clothes on high heat bedding, and any other items an infested person used or wore during the previous 2 days. There is no need to use harmful fumigant sprays.

Adult head lice are grayish-white or tan, and are no bigger than a sesame seed. A nymph (baby louse) are smaller, and can be clear, black, or even red. Eggs (often referred to as nits) are even smaller, and can be yellow, tan or brown before they hatch. After they hatch the shell looks white or clear. Nits are very difficult to remove from the hair shaft as they are literally glued.

Wash bedding and clothing in very hot water and dry on high heat. Dry pillows on high heat for 30 minutes; vacuum carpet and furniture (especially head rests); place hair accessories and combs on top rack of dishwasher or soak in hot water for 20 minutes or freeze in a plastic bag for 24 hrs. Stuffed animals can be bagged for 3 days. Remember, head lice cannot survive off a human head for more than 24 hours.

Physicians and dermatologists are not lice treatment specialists, and most have limited experience with head lice. For this reason, they often default to prescribing medication. As of 2023, there are no medications that can kill all the lice and nits in a single treatment, and because of chemical toxicity, there are limits to how often they can be used, and can be harmful to children, pregnant women, elderly, or immune-compromised individuals. Having said that, speaking with your physician about your particular situation is recommended.

Head lice do not jump, fly or swim! However, they are exceptional crawlers, and will readily move from one person to another through hair contact.

Children contract head lice from other individuals who have it- whether at school, summer camps, sleepovers or home.

Head lice actually prefer CLEAN hair! Hygiene has nothing to do with it.

Head lice can be seen by the naked eye, although challenging. At the size of a sesame seed, adult lice are the easiest to spot because they are the biggest. If you see a grayish-white or tan bug crawling through the hair (although color may vary), it is probably a louse, and if you look close enough you should be able to see human blood inside it.

To date, there is no evidence of head lice carrying or transmitting diseases, and no cases have been reported.

Head lice are specific parasites of humans; a person cannot contract lice from animals and animals cannot infect humans with lice.

Head lice become 'stunned' in water, but remain firmly locked onto the hair, enabling them to survive showers, soap, rain seawater and swimming pools. The risk of transmission is with head-to-head contact or sharing towels.

While children are more common vectors of head lice, adults and older children are not immune. When head-to-head contact occurs with an infested individual, one is at risk of contracting head lice.