Lice (pediculus capitis) are parasites that live on someone's head, and are more prevalent in school children and preschoolers due to the close proximity children have to each other. The adult louse can live up to 30 days, but cannot survive for more than a day without feeding. A typical louse feeds several times each day.
Size
Adult lice are about the size of a sesame seed, and the eggs (nits) are visible as a white speck that resembles dandruff, but is attached to the shaft of hair.
Cleanliness
According to the University of Iowa Health Care, someone with poor hygiene is no more likely to get lice than one who showers and shampoos every day. Lice actually prefer a nice clean head of hair. Likewise, lice cannot be removed by normal washing but need to be treated with a special shampoo. Lice eggs (nits) must be removed with a special fine-toothed comb, as they adhere to the hair shaft.
Disease and Ailments
Contrary to popular belief, lice do not transmit any diseases. Nor are they cause for any medical conditions such as scabies, unless the infected person happens to scratch his head too vigorously and a skin infection develops. One of the biggest problems doctors encounter from headlice is from people using toxic substances to try to destroy the lice.
Treatments
Shaving the head and dousing with kerosene are things of the past. The best treatment for lice is a specially formulated shampoo that is available at most pharmacies. Other myths on destroying head lice include using bleach on the head, suffocating them with oils, and heating them with a hair dryer.
Contagion
Lice do not jump from head to head or person to person, but are spread through direct contact such as using the same brush, comb or pillow. Cats, dogs and other animals do not spread lice--only people do.
