Can Head Lice Eat Your Scalp?

If you suspect that your child has head lice, the best course of action is to wash all the clothing your child wears with hot water and a high heat setting. You should also dry clean any items that are not washable, and store them in a plastic bag for two weeks. You should also inspect all household members for lice and treat them if necessary. In most cases, using a home treatment will get rid of head lice. However, if you are unsure, you should seek medical advice.

Head lice are tiny insects about the size of a sesame seed, with flat bodies and six legs. They feed on small amounts of blood from the scalp. They can only survive for about a day without a blood meal, so it is crucial to treat head lice in a timely manner. The lice live in your hair and lay their eggs in your scalp, often near your ears or on the nape of the neck.

You can check your child’s hair for head lice using a lice comb. These combs can be bought at a pharmacy, drugstore, or medical supply store. You should comb the hair twice, rinsing the comb after each strand.