Lice Facts, Prevention and Symptoms

Head Lice Facts Every Parent Should Know

If you have school-aged children, head lice are a fact of life. Here’s what matters most:

Extremely common
An estimated 6 to 12 million cases occur annually in children ages 3–11. The true number is even higher when you include affected teens and adults in families, schools, and camps.
Spread is mostly head-to-head
Lice crawl from one scalp to another during close contact.
Cleanliness has nothing to do with it
Anyone can get lice.
Sharing personal items increases risk
Hats, combs, brushes, helmets, and hair accessories can transfer lice easily. Avoid sharing these items, especially during outbreaks.
Lice can strike year-round
While outbreaks often peak in Spring and Fall

Teach your children what lice are and how they spread so they understand how to protect themselves.
Do routine head checks on your kids, especially after sleepovers, camps, or outbreaks at school.
Limit direct head-to-head contact during sports, playtime, selfies, or group activities.
Avoid sharing anything that touches the head — combs, brushes, hats, scarves, helmets, hair ties, headbands, and similar items.
Stay off furniture, pillows, or sleeping bags used by someone who currently has lice.
Keep long hair secured tightly in a bun, ponytail, or braids to reduce the chance of contact.

Early or mild cases can be very easy to overlook, so the scalp and hair need to be examined slowly and carefully.

More frequent itching or a tickling sensation on the scalp or in the hair.
Red, irritated areas on the scalp, especially behind the ears and along the neckline.
Difficulty sleeping, as lice tend to be more active in the dark and can cause restlessness.
Visible lice or nits (eggs) attached firmly to the hair shaft.
Live lice may be hard to spot, particularly in light infestations because they move quickly and hide beneath the hair.