How Head Lice Occur

If you’ve ever wondered how head lice occur, you’re not alone. Head lice are extremely contagious, but they’re also virtually harmless. Their primary mode of transmission is close head-to-head contact, although they can also spread via objects such as clothes. Fortunately, these creatures can’t fly and can’t live in water far away from their host. That means that they cling to hair when it’s wet.

Lice infest human heads and often prefer areas like the back of the neck, temples, and behind the ears. The location of the louse also affects the duration of the infestation. It takes at least six days for a louse to mature from an egg, but the process can be accelerated by applying a strong pesticide, such as a pediculicide.

In most cases, treatment is not effective unless the lice are removed from within a few inches of the scalp. This is important because if you fail to remove all the lice, they can reinfest. For this reason, you should always seek medical advice and only use prescription-strength medication.

The best prevention for head lice is avoiding physical contact with infected people. It is important to wash clothing, hats, and bedding frequently, even if they are just used by a child. If your child has a hairbrush, you should soak it in hot water for at least two weeks.