Head lice can’t fly! Instead, they spread through direct head-to-head contact between people. That’s why they love schools and children.
Head lice are transparent. This makes them difficult to detect in your hair. Once head lice have fed, they turn into a brown-red colour.
Head lice feed from the scalp up to 4 times a day. Once out of the hair, they won’t survive more than 2 to 3 days.
Female head lice can lay up to 10 eggs a day. The eggs are usually found near the hair root, close to the scalp. Head lice are difficult to remove. So the earlier you detect them, the easier you can get rid of them.
Head lice have 6 legs that end in hook-shaped claws which they use to tightly grasp the hair.
Head lice can’t swim. However during contact with water, they go into a state of suspended animation but remain firmly locked onto the hair. That’s why it’s possible to pick them up in pools or near the beach.
Head lice do not discriminate between short or long, or clean and dirty hair. However, they are more common in washed hair.
Head lice are a common problem, particularly amongst children of primary school age. The best way to avoid and deal with head lice is to check your child’s hair regularly and use an effective treatment.