Chapter 1: Clinical Overview
Head lice are a common problem that affect millions of people worldwide.
They are tiny wingless insects that live and feed on the scalp.
They are about the size of a sesame seed and can be clear, reddish-brown or dark.
Head lice infestations are most common in children aged 3 to 11 years old, but anyone can get them.
Nits are the eggs of the head lice – small, whitish specks about the size of a pinhead, that are stuck/glued to hair shafts.
Head lice cannot jump or fly, but they can crawl from one head to another.
Head lice can also be spread through sharing personal items such as combs, brushes, hats, and headphones.
Head lice infection is not a sign of dirty hair or poor cleanliness.
