Can Lice Survive on Clothes?

You may have heard about the possibility that lice can live on clothes, but do you know how they do it? Lice attach themselves to your clothes with their secretion, which is why you may have found them on your sheets or pillows. While lice cannot survive without a host, they can survive for one to two days on your clothes. Lice can also live on your body hair, where they can lay their eggs and die.

Lice have three stages of life, with the first stage being the egg. The next stage is the larva, which is known as the nymph stage. This stage is where the lice feed. Lice love to live on the back of your head and near your ears. Lice will also live on clothes that have creases and seams.

The most effective way to treat head lice is to avoid head to head contact. Also, do not share combs, towels, and clothing with a person with head lice. It is also advisable to wash and dry your clothing and bed linens. Avoid using fumigant sprays for head lice control, as these can be toxic and can be absorbed through the skin.

The removal of head lice is easy. The treatment involves washing your clothing in hot water for five minutes or more. Medicated shampoo or rubbing alcohol can be used to disinfect your clothes. These products will kill the lice without harming the fabric. When washing clothing, you should also soak haircare products and combs in hot water for five to 10 minutes.