Head lice (Pediculus capitis) affects only humans, and cannot be passed on to, or caught from animals. Infestation with head lice is also known as pediculosis.
Head lice are insects that live in the hair and on the scalp of humans, they cannot jump and do not have wings so cannot fly. They are obligate parasites, which means that they cannot survive without us, feeding only on human blood, which they take from the blood vessels in the scalp.
Head lice can cause your head to feel itchy - you may find this is worse behind your ears or on the back of your neck. However, you can have head lice for up to three months before you notice any itchiness, or you may not have any itching at all. If you scratch a lot, the skin can become broken and infections may develop. Other signs of possible head lice infestation include:
nits stuck to the hairs as they grow out
pillows being dirtier due to louse droppings
If you do confirm head lice infestation, there are two treatments available:
insecticides
wet combing ("bug-busting")
The insecticides can be strong chemicals and may cause side-effects such as scalp irritation. Only use them if you are sure there is a head lice infestation. Check every member of your household if you or your child has a confirmed infestation. Because of the risk of side-effects and head lice becoming resistant to insecticides, don't treat the whole family as a preventive measure.
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