Do Head Lice Stay on Pillows?

If you’ve ever wondered, “Do head lice stay on pillows?” you’re not alone. While they can’t fly or jump, they can live on bedding. They can only survive for 24 hours away from their human host, which is why your pillowcases and bedding should be thoroughly cleaned. However, you can’t fully eliminate the risk of reinfection by treating your pillowcases.

Before cleaning the pillowcases, you should treat your bedding and clothing. Bedding, especially pillowcases and duvets, can be washed at high temperatures. Then, you should dry the bedding and pillows using a clothes dryer, or dry them in direct sunlight. This will kill the lice and nits that are living on these objects. The final step is to vacuum the bed and mattress to remove any hiding places.

The safest treatment for head lice that live on pillows and bed sheets is to vacuum. This will remove any fallen hair from the pillows and other bedding. A vacuum can also be helpful in getting rid of any head lice eggs. If you’re not comfortable vacuuming, you can also try using a hand held vacuum cleaner.

When you use head lice treatment, you should make sure that everyone in your household is also being treated. If you find one or two cases of head lice, it’s best to check the other members of your household and close contacts.