When Does Head Lice Start to Itch?

The itching associated with head lice can be very difficult to deal with, especially if the infestation is not caught early. While some people may experience itching immediately after being exposed to the bug, others may feel tickles or something moving on their head for weeks. Itching is an allergic reaction to the lice’s bites, and it can lead to sores on the scalp that may become infected. To get rid of the itching, it is best to treat the head lice infection.

The first sign of head lice is a nit in the hair, which is a baby louse. These eggs hatch from a nit and feed on blood from the scalp. Once they have hatched, they live for nine to twelve days. Adult lice are not visible until they are about a half-inch from the scalp and can be difficult to find. Lice may appear in hair, skin, or anything that touches the head. However, it may not be easy to tell if you have head lice until you’ve noticed nits.

While lice can be treated with topical treatments, they often leave the scalp dry and itchy. This is why it is so important to treat the entire household, including any children in the same household. This prevents the spread of lice.