Head lice (pediculosis)
The characteristics, transmission and management of head lice (pediculosis).
Head lice are parasitic insects called Pediculus humanus capitis. They only live on the heads of people.
Life cycle
There are 3 forms of head lice: nits, nymphs, and adults.
Nits
Nits are head lice eggs. The oval, yellowy white eggs are hard to see and may be confused with dandruff. They attach themselves to the hair shaft, and take about a week to hatch. The eggs remain after hatching, and many nits are empty egg cases.
Nymphs
Nymphs hatch from the nits. The baby lice look like the adults, but are smaller. They take about 7 days to mature to adults, and feed on blood to survive.
Adults
Adults are about the size of a sesame seed, have 6 legs, and are tan to greyish-white. The legs have hook-like claws to hold onto the hair with. Adults can live up to 30 days and feed on blood.
Transmission
Anyone can catch head lice, but preschool children, primary school children and their families are most at risk.
Head lice are spread most commonly by close person-to-person contact.
Control
Read Health protection in schools and other childcare facilities.
Treatment and prevention
For information on how to spot, treat and prevent head lice, visit NHS.UK.
Updates to this page
Last updated 31 January 2018 + show all updates
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Updated information under 'control' to link to 'Health protection in schools and other childcare facilities'.
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First published.