The head lice information section on this website contains detailed information on both the condition, and management of head lice for your family. This list of FAQ’s represent the most common questions we are asked by parents.

1. Where do head lice come from?

Head lice are human parasites and do not come from the air, ground or other animals. In fact, head lice have probably been here since the beginning of time. Evidence of head lice and nits have been found on the hair and scalps of Egyptian mummies.

2. How are head lice spread?

Head lice can be acquired when there is direct contact of the head or hair of someone infested with head lice. Lice can also be spread through the sharing of hats, brushes, helmets, hair accessories and other items. There is also the chance of spreading head lice through pillowslips although this is less likely because lice beome progressivley weak after 2 or 3 hours.

3. How widespread are head lice?

The US Centers for Disease Control does not track the number of head lice cases, because it’s not considered a disease. This makes it difficult to track head lice cases; however, schools and manufacturers of lice products estimate head lice cases at 12-25 million infestations a year in the United States. It is generally accepted that the infestation rates vary between 4 and 10% and may be as high as 50% during an outbreak. Most children infested with head lice are under twelve years of age.

4. Do head lice transmit or carry any disease?

Unlike most other human parasites head lice are not known to carry disease although some research shows that they may once have been responsible for typhus.

5. Can our family pet get head lice?

People cannot catch head lice from pets. They are human parasites and require human blood to survive.

6. How can I verify successful treatment of head lice?

The ultimate determination that someone is no longer infested can only be accomplished with thorough manual screening to confirm that all lice and nits are dead. The best wasy is to use a fine toothed nit comb and a combing aid such as Quit Nits Combing Solution. Wipe the comb onto a clean tissue so that any lice are contrated against the white backgorund.