What causes head lice infestation?
Head lice are unable to fly or jump and prefer to live on the scalp. Head lice are spread by direct head to head contact with a person who is infested. Head lice can affect people of any age but are more common in children because of the increased likelihood of direct contact. They die within a day of being removed from their human host and so are not found on furniture or household objects. There is no need to wash or fumigate clothing that has come into contact with head lice. Pets (eg, dogs and cats) do not carry head lice and do not need to be treated. Are there any symptoms? Head lice infestation can cause the scalp to itch in some people but not in others. Itching is caused by sensitivity to lice saliva. The only other real ‘symptom’ is finding a live louse in the hair. It is advisable to check children’s hair regularly, particularly if an outbreak of head lice has been reported at their school or if they have been in contact with someone with head lice. How should I check for he
