How Are Head Lice Made?

If you’ve ever wondered how are head lice made, you’re not alone. These tiny bugs have been known to infest humans for thousands of years. There have even been instances of head lice found on Egyptian mummies. While it’s difficult to know exactly how they came to be, scientists have speculated that head lice may have evolved from body lice at some point.

Head lice are gray or tan bugs that live on the scalp and feed on human blood. During the life cycle, the lice hatch out from their eggs, which are attached to the hair shafts less than a quarter-inch (5 millimeters) from the scalp. These eggs take six to nine days to hatch, and the nymphs emerge after this period of time. Once they’ve matured, these creatures can live for three to four weeks. The female lays between six and ten eggs per day.

The most common way to catch head lice is through head-to-head contact with someone with head lice. This contact is most likely during play or sports activities, but other ways to spread head lice are through clothing and personal items shared by infested individuals. The nits attached to shed hair are also easily spread through clothing, which is how head lice spread.

The best way to get rid of head lice is to take care of the source of the infestation. You should use a product that kills the lice and eggs. There are many different products available in drug stores, or you can use natural remedies to treat the infestation. If your child has a lice problem, you may need to treat yourself as well. If you’ve shared bedding with them, you may need to apply a stronger treatment.