Ten Little-Known Facts About Head Lice

Facts about head lice can be hard to come by. There's a lot of misinformation out there about these creepy little bugs. Read on to learn the truth about these pests. 1. Where Do Head Lice Come From? These critters have been living among humans for centuries. Even the ancient Egyptians were infested with them, as evidenced by the dried-up lice and nits found on mummies. They're probably going to be around for as long as humans exist. 2. Can Black People Get Lice? Yes, they can. But African-Americans seem to be much less susceptible to these parasites than do Caucasians, Asian-Americans, and Hispanic people. 3. How Do These Parasites Spread? Head-to-head contact is the usual means of transmission. If two little girls are whispering to each other, it's very easy for the bugs to move from one head to another. Sharing items like hats, combs, brushes, and even towels and hair ties makes it easier for lice to spread from one person to another. 4. Do They Jump Like Fleas? No. They don't have hind legs to jump with. They also can't fly because they don't have wings. 5. Can Pets Get Head Lice From People? Again, the answer is no. These parasites are species-specific, which means they need human blood to survive. Blood from cats and dogs just doesn't cut it for them. 6. Can They Be Spread By Swimming With Someone Who Has Them? No. When these critters are in the water, they pretty much go into suspended animation. While in this state, they clamp down on the hair shaft so they don't wash off. This is why they usually aren't removed by shampooing. But borrowing a towel from someone who has them can certainly spread them from one person to another. 7. How Long Do Head Lice Live? When they're on someone's head, they can live for several weeks. But if they fall off, they usually die within 48 hours. 8. Is It Possible To Catch Diseases From Them? The latest evidence shows that the body louse and the head louse are the same species. Body lice can transmit typhus and relapsing fever, so it's possible that their relatives who live on heads could transmit the same diseases. 9. What's A Nit? This is what a louse egg is called. They're very small, about one-thirty-second of an inch, so you need to look closely to see them. They're usually found within a quarter-inch of the scalp. 10. Does Everyone In The House Need To Be Treated? Not unless they have lice. Many commonly-used treatments contain dangerous chemicals, so it's not a good idea to treat someone "just in case." But it's important to check everyone in the household to be sure they're not harboring these little bugs. Don't fall for the myths conce ing these creatures. It's important to be armed with the facts, so you can make good decisions about how to get rid of them.