This page provides information about head lice, what they are, how children contract head lice, how long they live and other questions.
What is a Louse?
A louse is just the singular of Lice (like mouse and mice)
How did my child get head lice?
The most common way to get head lice is through head to head contact. It can also be passed by sharing personal items such as hairbrushes, clothing, etc. with an infested person.
What is a nit?
A nit is an egg laid by the lice. The nits are grey to dark brown and are firmly attached to the hair shaft with a glue like substance. Nits are always oval in shape. Lice lay the nits close to the scalp. An adult louse can lay 3-8 nits per day. There is no shampoo that will kill the nits. It is important to remove all the nits in order to prevent a reinfestation.
I've used several different lice shampoos. Why can't I get rid of lice?
Most of these shampoos contain pesticides, which the lice have become resistant to over the years (and who would want to put pesticides on their heads anyway!). There is no shampoo that will kill the nits. All the nits need to be removed manually. That is the most difficult part of lice removal.
Can my dog get head lice?
No, lice do not live on pets. In fact, they need human blood to survive.
How long do lice live?
On the head, the louse can survive about thirty days. During that time, it can lay over 100 eggs. Lice cannot survive off the human head for more than 24-48 hours.
