Head Lice – What Does Head Lice Eat?
WouterThere are various methods you can try to prevent head lice infestation, but the best way is to find a good treatment. These treatments are safe and effective and can be done without resorting to harsh chemicals. In the event that you discover that you have a head lice infestation, you should contact your health care provider or a health department.
Head lice are tiny parasites that live in hair follicles. They are about one-eighth of an inch long and have six legs. Adult lice are tan to grayish white in color, but they can look darker if you have dark hair. Lice can live up to 30 days on your head, but will usually fall off within one to two days. They are not dangerous or contagious, but their bites are very itchy.
When you have head lice, your scalp can become itchy, which you can recognize by the presence of nits. Some parents even take their children to the doctor for a head lice checkup. Lice can be spread easily in schools, so if your child is attending school, it is important to treat it right away.
Although you can treat head lice with topical treatments, the best way to stop the spread of the infection is to avoid direct contact and sharing of personal items with a person who has the infestation. Lice can also spread by sharing clothing or bedding items. It’s important to remember that the cause of head lice is not poor hygiene. Head lice are parasites and rely on human blood as their sole source of nutrition. This is not the case with body lice. The parasites lay eggs on bedding and then crawl onto the human scalp to feed on blood.
