How Fast Can Head Lice Move?

A good way to check for head lice is by searching your hair for small nits. These creatures are about the size of a pinhead and adhere firmly to the hair shaft. When they are alive, they are darker in color and do not move around. However, you may notice some other debris in your hair that looks like lice nits. In addition to nits, you may also notice dandruff-like flakes or dirt that look similar to head lice eggs.

Adult head lice are about the size of a sesame seed and have six legs. These parasites feed on blood and live for up to 30 days on the head of the person infected with them. If the human hair they’re feeding on falls off, the louse will die.

After you have been exposed to head lice, you should wash all your linens thoroughly. Then, you can put them in a hot dryer to kill off the lice and their eggs. You should also thoroughly clean combs and brushes. Alternatively, you can place them in a plastic bag and place them in a hot dryer for about 10 minutes.

The easiest way to spread head lice is through contact. Lice cannot fly or jump, so they transfer to other people through head-to-head contact. They can also spread by direct contact with personal items or clothing. Lice lay oval-shaped eggs called nits that are easily mistaken for dandruff. The eggs take about 8 or 9 days to hatch.