ISSN: 2041-6792

Clinical Investigation

Head Lice

The head louse is an insect that can infest people. These tiny insects (about 1/8” long) make their range in human hair and prey on blood. Head lice multiply rapidly, laying small greyish-colored, oval-shaped eggs (called nits) which they glue to the bottom of the hair, on the brink of the scalp. Head lice are not known to spread disease. Anyone can get head lice. They are not a sign of being dirty. Most people don’t know they are infested until they see the nits or lice. They are found throughout the world, most commonly on children. Head lice haven't any wings and don't fly or jump, but they will crawl or run through hair quickly. Most commonly, head lice are spread by direct head-to-head contact with an infected person. They may even be spread by sharing personal items like combs, brushes, other hair-care items, towels, pillows, hats, and other head coverings. Dogs, cats, and other pets don't spread head lice. Look closely for nits along the hairline at the rear of the top and neck and behind the ears. Nits shouldn't be confused with an accumulation of toiletry, hair gels, or dandruff, which may be easily flicked off the hair; nits cannot because they're firmly attached to individual hairs. One telltale sign of head lice may be a persistent itching of the scalp, which is usually amid infected scratch marks or what appears to be a rash.  

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