Head lice

Head lice are tiny, flat six-legged, wingless insects that live and feed on blood from the human scalp. These insects are about 2 mm long, range in colour from light brown to gray, and are commonly found in people's hair but can only survive 2 to 4 days away from the host. Adult female lice can lay about 7 to 10 eggs per day and may live up to one month. These eggs hatch in about a week and the lice mature to adulthood over the next 7 days.

How do they spread

Contrary to popular belief, head lice do not jump or fly from one person to another but are spread by direct contact with an infected person and their belongings (e.g. brushes, combs, caps, towels, pillows, blankets etc). Pets fo not transmit head lice and lice infect both dirty and clean hair. Its presence is not a reflection of personal hygiene.

Diagnosis of head lice

It is made by finding nits attached to the hair shafts. Nits are tiny, white, oval eggs that look like dandruff but cannot be shaken off the hair easily. Live lice move quickly so they are seldom seen but their red bite marks and nits can often be found along the back of the head and neck and behind the ears where the skin is warmer. A common symptom is an intense itch localised to the head caused by substances in the lice's saliva. This itch may continue for one week even after the lice infestation has been cleared.