All About Lice: The Essential Facts

 

General Facts

  • Human Parasites: Lice are tiny, wingless insects that live on human hair and feed on blood from the scalp.
  • Three Types of Lice: Head lice, body lice, and pubic lice (commonly called "crabs") are the three types of lice that infest humans.
  • Not Related to Hygiene: Head lice infestations are not related to cleanliness or personal hygiene. They can affect anyone, regardless of how clean their hair or home is.

 

Lifecycle

  • Lifecycle Stages: Lice have three stages: eggs (nits), nymphs, and adults. Eggs hatch in about 6-7 days, and the nymphs mature into adults within another 7-10 days.
  • Lifespan: Adult lice can live up to 35 days on a human host, but they die within 24-48 hours off the scalp without a blood meal.  Based on recent research conducted by Nit Whackers, we've discovered that lice can survive off the scalp for up to 4 days under certain conditions. 

 

Transmission

  • Head-to-Head Contact: Lice spread primarily through direct head-to-head contact, especially among children.
  • Rare Transmission via Objects: Lice can cling to personal items like hats, combs, and bedding, but this is a less common way for them to spread.

 

Behaviour

  • Claws for Gripping: Lice have specialized claws that grip hair tightly, making them difficult to dislodge without proper combing techniques.
  • Crawling Only: Lice cannot jump or fly; they move by crawling.

 

Detection and Symptoms

  • Common Symptoms: Itching, caused by an allergic reaction to lice bites, is the most well-known symptom. However, not everyone infested will itch, making detection harder.
  • Visible Nits: Lice eggs (nits) are tiny, oval, and firmly attached to the hair shaft near the scalp, often easier to spot than the lice themselves.

 

Treatment and Prevention

  • Combing is Key: Proper combing with a lice comb is one of the most effective methods to remove lice and nits.
  • Treat All Contacts: Everyone in close contact with the infested person should be checked and treated if necessary.
  • Prevention Strategies: Reduce the risk of lice by avoiding head-to-head contact, not sharing personal items, and keeping long hair tied back in braids or buns.

 

Lice Myths: Separating Fact from Fiction

Lice love clean hair

Not washing your hair for a couple of days doesn’t make you immune to lice. Lice don’t discriminate—they simply need access to the scalp to feed.

However, if someone has dirty, matted hair that hasn’t been washed in months, lice may find it harder to reach the scalp. Remember, lice rely on the scalp for survival, as it’s their food source. Clean or dirty, if they can reach the scalp, they’ll settle in.

Keep in mind, personal hygiene is not a factor in getting lice—they can affect anyone!

Lice Shampoo at the pharmacy will get rid of my lice

With over 10 + years of experience in the industry, we’ve seen it all—including the failure of many over-the-counter lice treatments.

They simply DON’T WORK.

A recent study published in the Journal of Medical Entomology highlights why products containing Pyrethrin are ineffective against lice. This research sheds light on the growing resistance of lice to these common treatments.

Want to learn more? Click the button below to read the full article.

Men don't get lice in fact only children get it

The belief that only children get lice is completely untrue. Lice don’t discriminate—they can infest people of all ages, genders, and backgrounds. From kids to grandparents, anyone with hair is a potential host.

That said, men are less likely to get lice compared to women. Why? Testosterone increase which happens after puberty act as a natural deterrent. When men do get lice, the infestations are typically much milder.

Lice are equal-opportunity pests, so everyone should be vigilant!