Lice – Symptoms and Causes

Overview

Lice are small, wingless insects that survive by feeding on human blood. They move from one person to another through close physical contact or by sharing personal belongings.

There are three distinct types of these parasites.

• Head lice inhabit the scalp area, commonly appearing at the back of the neck and around the ears.
• Body lice differ as they live in clothing and bedding, only moving to the skin when feeding. These typically affect individuals without regular access to bathing facilities or clean clothes.
• Pubic lice, often called “crabs,” mainly reside in pubic hair. They can occasionally appear in other coarse body hair, including chest hair, eyebrows, or eyelashes.

Without proper treatment, lice infestations often become recurring problems. Effective management requires understanding each type’s specific habits and applying appropriate treatment methods.

Signs and Trouble Spots

Common signs of lice include strong itching on the scalp, body, or genital area. You might feel a tickling sensation when hair moves.

Adult lice are small, about the size of a sesame seed. They can be found on your scalp, body, clothing, or in pubic hair.

Nits (lice eggs) attach to hair shafts and can be hard to see because of their tiny size. They’re most visible around the ears and neck.

Unlike dandruff, nits stick firmly to hair and can’t be brushed away easily.

You might develop sores from scratching. These small red bumps can appear on the scalp, neck and shoulders and sometimes get infected.

Bite marks may show up, particularly around the waist, groin, upper thighs and pubic area.

When to Check with a Healthcare Provider

Visit your doctor if you think you or your child has lice. Several things are often confused with nits:

• Dandruff flakes
• Leftover hair product
• Tiny beads of dead hair tissue
• Dirt, scabs or debris
• Other small insects in hair

It’s important to get a proper diagnosis to ensure effective treatment.

How Lice Spread

Lice are tiny insects that feed on human blood and live on the head, body, or pubic area. Female lice attach their eggs to hair shafts with a sticky substance. These eggs hatch in about 6-9 days.

Lice cannot jump or fly, but they spread through several common ways:

• Direct contact is the most common method of transmission. When people’s heads or bodies touch, lice can crawl from one person to another. This often happens during:
  • Play activities among children
  • Close family interactions
  • Hugging or sleeping near someone with lice
• Sharing personal items can also spread lice, including:
  • Brushes and combs
  • Hair accessories
  • Headphones
  • Hats and scarves
  • Towels and bedding
  • Stuffed animals
• Stored belongings placed close together can allow lice to move between items. This happens in:
  • School lockers
  • Closets
  • Coat hooks placed side by side
• Furniture exposure presents another risk. Lice can survive for 1-2 days off the human body, so sitting or lying on recently infested furniture can lead to transmission.
• Sexual contact is the primary way pubic lice spread among adults. If pubic lice are found on children, it may indicate sexual exposure or abuse and should be taken seriously.

Prevention

Stopping head lice from spreading among children can be challenging because kids often have close contact with each other.

Remember that getting head lice isn’t related to cleanliness or parenting skills.

Some store-bought products claim to prevent lice infestations. These products often contain plant oils like coconut, olive, rosemary, and tea tree.

Small studies suggest these ingredients might help repel lice, but more research is needed. Since these “natural” products aren’t regulated by health authorities, their safety and effectiveness haven’t been fully tested.

Until science confirms which prevention methods work best, focus on thorough lice removal if you find them.

Here are practical steps to reduce the risk of lice:

Everyday Prevention Tips:

• Teach children to avoid head-to-head contact during play and activities
• Discourage sharing personal items like:
  • Hats and scarves
  • Combs and brushes
  • Hair accessories
  • Headphones
• Help children avoid storing their clothing with others’ items on shared hooks or in common spaces

It’s important to be realistic. Even with careful prevention, lice spread easily in schools and childcare settings.

If you find nits (lice eggs) in your child’s hair, check how close they are to the scalp.

Nits found within 1/4 inch of the scalp usually need treatment, even if you only find one. This prevents possible hatching and a full infestation.

Taking quick action when you spot lice or nits helps control their spread. Regular hair checks can help catch problems early.

While no prevention method is foolproof, these steps can reduce the chances of bringing these unwanted visitors home.