How do you get head lice?

If you have ever wondered how do you get head lice, then you need not worry as you are in good company. The conditions that lead to head lice and the behavior of the lice is something that has been misinterpreted and misrepresented time and time again such that it can become difficult to tell truth from fiction.

Some of the myths around head lice infestation include victims cowering in embarrassment, rejection and social stigma as soon as they discover that they have lice. What many people are often surprised to hear is that virtually any person from any social class and whether a child or an adult can have a head lice infestation.

Head lice are tiny cream, white or tan parasites. Head lice neither fly nor jump contrary to one of the most strongly held myths around lice; rather they crawl from one host to another through close contact or shared grooming items. As parasites, head lice live off human blood and thus cannot live for very long once they are separated from their host. The louse and nymphs can only live for 3 days away from the host and the eggs can only survive for about 7 days. The eggs cannot hatch away from the host as they require the warmth and humidity that is characteristic on the scalp.

Furthermore, head lice reproduce fastest on clean hair or scalp as this presents ideal conditions for them to lay their eggs. This is again another fact on how do you get head lice that contradicts the widely held belief that it is dirty, dusty or greasy hair that serves as the best host for head lice. That said, good hygiene such as regularly washing the head prevents the lice from taking root after they first make contact with the person’s head or scalp.

So just how do you get head lice? Well, scientists have repeatedly identified close contact with infected persons as one of the main ways through which you can catch lice. For instance, the lice may be transferred from one person to another when an infected person shares his personal belongings such as towels, beddings, brushes, combs, hair accessories and apparel. It is therefore important that one avoid sharing personal grooming accessories as well as items that come into close contact with the head or scalp such as head phones. In fact, not sharing such items not only prevents head lice but is also an effective way to curb the spread of other communicable diseases.

To effectively get rid of these irritating and embarrassing parasites, one must seek medical treatment immediately. Do not simply go and buy over the counter medication since there are certain forms of treatment that can be a health hazard causing skin irritation or respiratory complications when inhaled. One should also thoroughly wash, scrub, wipe and vacuum their personal belongings, electronics and other household goods.

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