Head Lice

HUMAN SKIN PARASITES

Head lice are commonly found in preschoolers and elementary school aged children. They are transmitted from one person to the next by direct contact, head to head, or head to hat to head. They live in the hair on the head (not facial hair), and live nowhere else. Eggs are cemented to hairs on the head and not on clothing. It takes roughly 21 days for the entire life cycle from egg to egg. These lice are not known to transmit any disease pathogens. They also have very specific temperature requirements and will die if the temperature drops too low.

Head louse Head louse Head louse