HEAD LICE

HEAD LICE

Head lice are tiny insects that live on the head and in the hair. They're highly infectious and easily passed between children who tend to work closely with their heads together, at school and at play. Infestation of any of the hairy parts of the body is also called pediculosis. However, the types of lice found on the head are different to those that can infest the rest of the body or the pubic area.

Head lice are flat, wingless insects about 2mm to 4mm long, usually black or dark brown, which attach to the base of a hair. They are blood-sucking insects which feed on human blood several times a day. They stay close to the skin for moisture, food and warmth. The adult lice lay a large number of eggs, known as nits that can be seen as tiny white/brown ovals glued firmly to the hair close to the scalp.

                                                               Prof. John Kurakar