Head Lice – Where Does Head Lice Originate From?
WouterHead lice are parasitic insects that live on the human scalp. The most common species lives in the hair and feeds on blood. They can affect people of any age, but are most common in school-aged children. Having lice is not an indication of poor hygiene. It is just another part of being human.
Although head lice are not directly transmitted by humans, they are vectors of disease. These bugs are spread through close contact and by sharing objects. Although it is not understood what causes an infestation, the fact remains that anyone can contract head lice and spread the disease to others. For this reason, lice are a serious public health concern.
Head lice live in the hair of humans and primates and are easily spread by physical contact. They cannot fly, but can crawl. They usually enter the head through close contact. The itching that follows the infestation is caused by an allergic reaction to the louse’s saliva. Symptoms typically occur between four and six weeks after the infestation first occurs. Once the infestation is over, the lice die within two days and cease to be infectious.
DNA analysis of ancient lice is a valuable source of information about human evolution. This data reveals how ancient lice lived in different parts of the world. Ancient head lice eggs have been found in Israel and West Africa. It is thought that the lice evolved from archaic hominin species.
