Do Head Lice Live in Beards?

While it is unlikely to find head lice living in a beard, it is possible for them to scurry into your facial hair. Lice feed on your blood three times a day, so if your beard has hair that could harbor these pests, you may want to check it for lice as soon as possible. The good news is that lice infestation in beards is easily treatable and preventable.

Lice are tiny parasites that live in the human scalp. Adult head lice are about a quarter of an inch long and are tan to grayish white. They are nocturnal and feed on human blood at night. They stay on the human scalp for up to 30 days, laying up to six eggs a day.

If you suspect lice in your beard, you can perform a free head lice screening at a local lice removal service. A professional lice screening will identify whether you have an infestation and determine how severe it is. A pharmacist can recommend a comb that will best catch the lice. The comb should be fine-toothed and have an exact distance between the teeth.

If you notice nits on your hair, you may have head lice. If you notice any, you should immediately treat the area. It is especially important to treat any nits that are within 1/4 inch (6 millimeters) of your scalp.