https://www.wellness.com/Wellness Posts by Lice All Clearen-usCopyright 2026, Wellness.com, Inc. All rights reserved.support@wellness.comTue, 06 Dec 2011 08:46:00 ZWellness PostsWellness.com Gazelle Rss Generatorhttps://s3.amazonaws.com/static.wellness.com/User.96321.square80.pnghttps://www.wellness.com/https://www.wellness.com/blog/23974/head-lice-facts/lice-all-clearsupport@wellness.com<a href='http://www.wellness.com'>Wellness.com</a> - <a href='https://www.wellness.com/blog/23974/head-lice-facts/lice-all-clear'>Head Lice Facts</a> by <a href='https://www.wellness.com/user/96321/lice-all-clear'>Lice All Clear</a><br/><br/>There are three main types of lice: body, hair and pubic lice. The scientific name for a head louse is Pediculus humanus capitis.<br/><br/>Head lice have been around since the beginning of recorded time.<br/><br/>Head lice do not come from the dirt or air or spontaneous generation. Head lice come from other head lice, just like every other species. <br/><br/>Head lice is the #1 reason children are absent from school.<br/><br/>It takes head to head contact or by the sharing of personal objects such as hair ties, scarves, and hats to get head lice.<br/><br/>Head lice are tiny six legged, blood sucking parasites. Each leg is equipped with a claw, enabling the louse to grasp onto the shaft of the hair. They are about the size of a sesame seed. <br/><br/>A female louse lays eggs (nits) twice a day up to 5 nits at a time and lives approximately 30 days. A Head louse needs the warmth of the human body to live.<br/><br/>Head lice cannot jump or fly!<br/><br/>Washing your hair will not kill the lice. Lice can shut their bodies down for up to two hours!<br/><br/>Head lice can only survive off the human head for up to 24 hours.<br/><br/>Head lice only live on human beings so your pets can't catch head lice.<br/><br/>Head lice do not discriminate; anyone can be affected regardless of cleanliness.<br/><br/>Nits (lice eggs) is attached to one side of a hair shaft at an angle. Nits are usually white to light grey in color.<br/><br/>"Nits" are glued to the hair shaft with cement like glue. They must be manually removed.<br/><br/>Most over the counter products and sprays contain toxic pesticides. Head Lice have developed a resistance to these products.*<br/><br/><br/>"Sometimes the medicine is worse than the disease. It is unfortunate that well intentioned parents treating their children with toxic or flammable substances have caused deaths and poisonings."<br/>- Department of Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Harvard School of Public Health<br/><br/>* Never use products containing Lindane, a powerful neurotoxin banned for use in the United Kingdom and given a thumbs down by Consumer Reports.<br/>Tue, 06 Dec 2011 08:46:00 Z