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 Frequently Asked Questions:
The Facts of Lice
What are head lice?
Also called Pediculus humanus capitis, head lice parasiticInsects found
on the heads of people. Having head lice is very
Common, as many as 6-12 million people worldwide get head lice each year.
What do head lice look like?
The head louse is a flat wingless insect with a hard Exoskeleton. There
are three stages of head lice:
Nits: Nits are (head lice eggs). They are hard to see and
are often confused for dandruff or hair shaft. They are oval
and usually range form coffee color to grayish white. Nits take about 7 to
9 days to hatch.
Nymph: The nit hatches into a baby louse called a nymph.
When they first hatch they are transparent in color until they
feed on the scalp for blood, much like mosquitoes. Nymphs mature into adults
about 7 days after hatching.
Adult: The adult louse is about the size of a sesame seed,
has six legs, and is tan to grayish-white. Twenty-four hours
After mating, the female lays her eggs (nits).
What are the symptoms of head lice infestation?
The primary symptom is itching, which may be mild to intense. Dermal
infections, especially pyoderma is common.
In sever infestations, swollen neck glands, fever and/ or irritability
is common.
 How did my child get head lice?
- By contact with an already
infested person. Contact is common during play at school and at home
(slumber parties, sports activities, camp or any close contact setting,
which may result in head to infected host contact).
- By wearing infested clothing, such as
hats, scarves, or coats.
- By using infested combs, brushes, or towels
How is head lice infestation diagnosed?
By looking closely through the hair and scalp for nits, nymphs, or adults.
Finding them may be difficult; the lice can move
quickly from searching fingers. If crawling lice can be seen, finding
nits within an inch of the scalp confirms that a person
is infested and should be treated.
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