Can You Catch Head Lice From the Hairdressers?

Visiting a hairdresser can be a pleasant experience, but it’s important to be aware of the possibility of catching head lice. While the hairdresser has no direct contact with a person’s head, their tools and clothing can harbor the parasite. This means that a visit to the hair salon should be avoided if possible.

Head lice are tiny insects that live on the scalp and feed on blood. They lay eggs in the hair and are easily spread from one person to another. They look like small, oval-shaped things attached to strands of hair near the scalp. Lice that are present on the hair can be easily identified by the color of the nits, which is usually white or yellow.

In order to confirm whether you have head lice, you should carefully comb through your hair and use a magnifying lamp. Hairdressers should use a desk lamp or magnifying glasses to help identify the insects. You should look for any moving eggs or adult bugs. If you think you have head lice, avoid getting your hair done and ensure that the hairdresser changes clothes before doing another client.

While it’s not advisable to visit the hairdresser with head lice, you can avoid exposing yourself to the symptoms by ensuring that your hair salon follows a strict head lice policy. This will help prevent outbreaks from occurring.