How Long Do Head Lice Live?

Depending on the environment, head lice can survive on a human head for up to a month. These parasites need to feed on blood several times a day to survive. When they are removed from the host, they will die within a few days. If you have head lice, you should consult a health care provider or pharmacist for advice.

A typical head louse will lay three to eight eggs each day for up to 16 days before dying. The eggs are tiny, white, and oval-shaped. You can find them between your fingernails and can identify them by their shape. Hatched eggs are translucent or pale, and dead lice eggs have shriveled sides.

The best way to prevent head lice is to prevent physical contact between head-to-head with infested individuals and by treating all household members. Avoid sharing your child’s hat, stuffed animals, or clothing with anyone infected. Wash all items used by your child in hot water and dry on the hot cycle of the dryer. Medicated shampoo can be used to treat head lice.

While adults are able to live for more than a month, the lifespan of head lice is considerably shorter than that of most other parasites. Female lice lay approximately 100 eggs over their lifetime. These eggs are glued to the hair shaft and hatch after a few days. After that, the lice die.