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Illustrated Health Encyclopedia
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Ency. home > Disease > H > Head lice

Head lice    See images

Overview | Symptoms | Treatment | Prevention

Alternative names:

Lice - head; Nits; Pediculosis - head lice; Pediculosis capitis

Definition:

Head lice are tiny parasitic insects (Pediculus humanus capitis) that live on the scalp and can be spread by close contact with other people.

Causes and Risks

There are three common types of lice: head lice, body lice, and pubic lice. Head lice infect the scalp hair and are easiest to see at the nape of the neck and over the ears. Small eggs can be seen on the hair shafts.

They appear much like flakes of dandruff, but are stuck firmly to the hair shaft instead of flaking off of the scalp. Head lice do not cause a serious medical problem and do not spread other diseases (as body lice do), but they are spread very easily. Risk factors include close, overcrowded living conditions. Lice also spread readily among school children.

It is important to note that having lice is not an indicator of poor hygiene or low socioeconomic status.

Ency. home > Disease > H > Head lice

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