What is Head Lice?

Head lice, or the medical term, (Pediculus humanus capitis) is a small insect that uses humans as a host. Lice bite on the human scalp and feed on your blood. They do not burrow in your skin, and do not carry infectious diseases. As with every living process there are different stages in the growth process. Lice have three different steps to becoming an adult.

Nits

Nits are the eggs and the beginning stage of the process. A lice or louse will lay a nit and attach it to a single strand of the host hair. A female Louse can lay around five or six eggs each day. A nit is almost clear and nearly impossible to see. Although when spotted the only way to get them off of your hair is to pull them down to the bottom of the strand. They are durable and will not fall off. The nits once hatched can stay attached to your hair for some time, even years after you have gotten rid of the infestation. It only takes seven days for the nit to hatch and the lice become nymphs.

Nymphs

Nymphs are the 'baby' once they hatch it only takes around seven to ten days to become a full grown adult and begin having 'baby's' of their own. In order to do this they need to shed their skin called molt. This usually happens every couple of days. During this process they can not lay or make eggs.

Lice

After becoming an adult it will only take about a day or so for the adult louse to mate. A female louse can lay up to 100 eggs in her lifetime. Although most will not lay that many, it is possible. Lice can live up to 30 days. Lice feed on our blood simply by biting us. They feed through a tube that protrudes from their head calledhaustellum. They use this to bite through your skin to draw the blood out of a blood vessel. This may sound painful but in fact most of the time you won't feel anything. The open sore is what causes the itching.

How do you get head lice?

Head lice is usually caught by coming in contact with someone who has it. Sharing clothing, towels, bedding, combs and brushes are other ways of catching lice. When louse come in contact with another person they travel from one persons head to another. They can not fly or jump.

How do I know if I have head lice?

The only way to know for sure if you have head lice would be to find a live louse on your scalp. If you find a nit that does not mean that you have lice, it simply means that at one point you did have it.

What are symptoms of Head Lice?

Itching, tickling feeling of something crawling in your hair, and sores.

Where is Head Lice found?

Head Lice is found in places with hair. Most commonly on the head of an infected person, usually located around the neck and ears.

What should I do if I have it?

Contact your doctor they can prescribe a shampoo or oil that will get rid of Head lice. There are other over the counter medicines that are available for use.

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Wikipedia
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Head_lice

Medicinenet.com
http://www.medicinenet.com/head_lice/page2.htm#6whereare