How Can Head Lice Spread to Other Areas of the Body?
WouterHead lice are transmitted from one person to another via close head-to-head contact, although there is a smaller risk of spreading lice through shared belongings. Lice can also be transferred by sharing personal items, such as hair brushes, sheets, and towels. This is not a problem if the infested item is kept at the same temperature as the scalp.
You can prevent lice from spreading to other areas of the body by washing all clothing and bedding in hot water with detergent. Make sure you dry the items before you put them back into use. Also, make sure to treat other household members if they have been in close contact with a child with lice.
Children are most susceptible to head lice. Infestations usually occur when children share head-to-head contact or share items worn on the head. If the infected person has head lice, they should treat any household contacts who come into contact with the infested person. Lice do not survive off the scalp long, but you can still protect yourself from the lice by avoiding contact with personal items.
It is important to treat the lice as soon as you see any signs of infestation. Head lice are obligate parasites, which means that they only feed on humans. They stay close to the scalp, usually behind the ears, but can also appear on eyelashes and eyebrows. Those who have head lice must wash their clothes regularly and avoid sharing items.
