Head Lice Facts

Head Lice Facts

The American Academy of Pediatrics estimates that 6-12 million people get head lice in the US each year. Contrary to some myths, lice are just as likely to infest a clean head as they are a dirty one. While the thought of bugs in a child’s hair may be upsetting – there’s no reason to panic!

Los Alamitos-Torrance Lice Removal offers some advice for head lice removal and prevention:

What Are Head Lice?

1. Head lice are tiny wingless insects.
2. They have 6 legs and do NOT fly, jump or hop, but they move very fast.
3. They are human parasites that feed on the blood of the infested person.
4. They obtain the blood through a person’s scalp, which is what makes them itch.

How Prevent the Spread of Head Lice:

1. The main way lice are spread is head-to-head contact.
2. Do not share hair-related personal items.
3. Avoid sleepovers and slumber parties during lice outbreaks
4. Machine wash and dry, at high temperatures, any bedding and clothing used by anyone having lice.
5. Call us for Lice Removal in Southern California

How Big are Lice and Their Eggs?

1. Nits (or eggs) are about the size of the letter “O” on the back of a penny
2. Nits are attached to the hair with a strong glue-like substance
3. Adult lice are about the size of a sesame seed or the size of the word “ONE” on the back of a penny.

About the Nit, the Nymph and the Louse:

1. One nit can hatch after 8-12 days and then becomes a nymph (a young louse).
2. A female louse will become an adult in 3-5 days and lay 6 or more nits per day.
3. Lice can live about 30 days on your head in their lifetime – that can be a lot of eggs if left untreated.

Where Do Head Lice Come From?

1. Nobody is certain about the origin of head lice.
2. Head lice are everywhere and can even be dated back to mummies in ancient Egypt.

How Do Head Lice Stay on My Hair?

1. Lice have tiny but powerful claws that hold onto the hair.

Can You Get Lice from Your Pet?

1. No. Lice do NOT live on animals.
2. Pets do NOT play a role in the spread of head lice.
3. Head lice are HUMAN parasites and do not live on animals.