Headlice

Identification of head lice:

Head lice are small, six-legged wingless insects which are pin-head size when they hatch, less than match-head size when fully grown and are grey/brown in colour.  They are difficult to detect in dry hair even when the head is closely inspected.  Head lice often cause itching, but this is not always the case.

Head lice live on, or very close to the scalp at the base of the hair, where they find both food and warmth.  They feed through the scalp of their host. The female louse lays eggs in sacs which hatch in 7 to 10 days.  Nits (egg sacs) are usually white in colour and are often easier to see than the head lice themselves.  Many people mistake 'nits' for head lice or believe that it is evidence of a head lice infection.  This is not true.   A head lice infection cannot be diagnosed unless a living louse has been found on the head.  During their life span of one month, head lice will shed their skin up to three times.  This skin, combined with louse droppings, looks like black dust and may be seen on the pillows of people with head lice.  Head lice cannot fly, jump or swim; they are contracted only by direct head to head contact.  Contrary to popular belief, the length, condition or cleanliness of hair does not predispose any particular group to head lice infection.  Anyone with hair can catch head lice, meaning that the problem, whilst often more prevalent in children, is not unique to them.  Whilst cleanliness is not related to contracting a head lice infection, regular hair washing and combing does offer a good opportunity to detect any infection so that it can be treated.