Where Does Head Lice Originate From?

Whether you’re an adult or a child, you may be wondering where does head lice originate from. Lice are parasites that survive on the blood of their host. While head lice and body lice are similar, they differ in their geographic distribution and genetic characteristics. The earliest head lice were likely found in North America, and later spread to Europe and Australia. Lice probably evolved to latch on to human hairs and clothing fibers thousands of years ago.

Adult head lice are a small, parasitic insect about the size of a sesame seed. They have six legs and are gray to white in color. Dark hair can make them appear darker. These insects feed on the blood of human hosts and can live for up to 30 days on a human’s head. If not removed within 1-2 days, they will die. Adult female lice can lay up to six eggs daily.

Head lice are spread by head-to-head contact, and they can also be transmitted through inanimate objects. Because they cannot fly or jump, head-to-head contact is the main method of spreading head lice. Fortunately, there are ways to avoid catching this condition. The easiest way to avoid spreading it is to avoid public areas where your head may be in close contact with another person’s head.

If you suspect you may have head lice, look for the nits around your scalp. These are difficult to remove since they are firmly attached to individual hairs. Another sign of infestation is persistent itching of the scalp. This may also be accompanied by infected scratch marks or a rash. Infected scalps can be treated with prescription medications such as “Ovide.”