Question 1

What are head lice?

Accepted Answer

Head lice are small, brown wingless insects ranging from 1mm to 4mm found on the human scalp.

Question 2

What do Lice look like?

Question 3

Do head lice fly, jump or hop?"

Accepted Answer

No. They do not hope or jump. They only crawl.

Question 4

What is the difference between lice and louse?

Accepted Answer

Lice is the plural of louse

Question 5

What colour is a louse?

Accepted Answer

The colour of a louse ranges from tan/carmel to brown/black.

Question 6

What are Nits?

Accepted Answer

Nits are the eggs that the lice lay.

Question 7

Are Nits and eggs the same thing?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Nit is another name for egg.

Question 8

What do Nits look like

Accepted Answer

They look like minuscule tadpoles.

Question 9

How do I know that I have Nits?

Accepted Answer

Nits are ‘glued’ to strands of the hair. You can mistake dandruff for nits/eggs. However, a quick way to tell, is if you try flicking a nit off your hair, unlike dandruff, it will not move.

Question 10

What colour are Nits/eggs?

Accepted Answer

Viable eggs are usually an opaque bluish/grey colour when newly laid and turn into a caramel or brown colour as the casing/shell hardens.  After the nits are hatched, the casings or dead eggs may look clear or almost see through and after a while greyish white.

Question 11

What does a louse eat?

Accepted Answer

A louse does not eat but drinks the blood from the scalp

Question 12

How long can a louse live off the head?

Accepted Answer

Without blood meal from the scalp, head lice cannot survive off the head for more than 72 hours. Most head lice will die within 24 hours and a tiny percentage might live up to 48 hours.

Question 13

Can head lice spread disease?

Accepted Answer

Although the itching might send you crazy, head lice isnot known to spread disease.

Question 14

Did I get head lice because I am dirty?

Accepted Answer

No. Having them is not a sign uncleanliness or bad hygiene.  In fact, head lice prefer clean heads.

Question 15

Can my pet get head lice?

Accepted Answer

No. Pets cannot have head lice as they have fleas. Head lice only live on the human heads.

Question 16

How do I know I have head lice?

Accepted Answer

You may experience itchiness of the scalp caused by a movement of the lice on your head and/or allergic reaction to the excrement of the lice. Intense scratching can lead to your nails puncturing your scalp and causing painful sores on the scalp.  Head lice and their eggs can be found all over the head in a serious infestation.  However, check the‘hot spots’which include around the ears, at the nape of the neck and at the crown of the head.  Although head lice lay eggs closer to the scalp, it is important to examine the entire strand. Be careful not to confuse hair debris, dandruff or hair casts or DEC plugs with an egg.  If it is white in colour and flakes away, it is not an egg.  An effective examination of the head for head lice is best done in a well lit area or where there is natural sunlight and any magnification tools necessary.

Question 17

Who can have headlice?

Accepted Answer

Anyone. However, is is most common amongst school age children.

Question 18

Is it common to have head lice?

Accepted Answer

Yes, it the the second most common occurrence next to the common cold.  According to Toronto Public Health, 6-12 million are effected by head lice each year.

Question 19

How long does a louse live?

Accepted Answer

The live span of a louse is between 30 and 37 days.

Question 20

How many eggs can a female louse lay in a day and lifetime?

Accepted Answer

Between 3 and 5 eggs per day and approximately 100 in its lifetime

Question 21

What is the incubation period of nits?

Accepted Answer

Nits take 7-10 days to hatch.

Question 22

How long does it take a Nymph to grow into an adult louse?

Accepted Answer

It takes 7-10 days for a nymph, baby louse, to reach maturity.  At which time it would then mate and the female louse will start laying eggs within 2 days of mating.

Question 23

How do head lice spread

Accepted Answer

Human Head Lice can be spread through head to head contact, shared clothing or products such as combs, brushes, hair ties, hats, caps and etc.

Question 24

How do I remove head lice and their nits?

Accepted Answer

Manual lice removal is the most effective technique
Drugstore remedies do not guarantee removal
Using the right comb is crucial in effective removal.

Question 25

What kills lice and their nits?

Accepted Answer

Manual removal
Tea tree oil and other essential oils are all great deterrents for lice but does not guarantee death of lice/eradication of nits
Drugstores sell various shampoos to help – they are often filled with chemicals, damage the hair and scalp and are unsafe for children
Drugstore remedies also leave the possibility for nits to reproduce if even one is missed  you will be right back where you started!

Question 26

How do I prevent head lice?

Accepted Answer

Avoid head to head contact.
Tea tree oil shampoos or soaks
Telling family and friends if you or your child has it – we understand it can be embarrassing or difficult to share but it will ensure that it does not spread and anyone effected can take action as early as possible.

Question 27

What are the best cleaning methods to get rid of lice?

Accepted Answer

Lice cannot live off of the head for more than 3 days – if any items have not been used for longer than that, you are good to go!
Place linens, pillow cases, towels, hats etc. in dryer on high heat for half an hour
Material furniture can be vacuumed, leather furniture can be wiped
Items can also be bagged and isolated for 3 days maximum

Frequently asked questions