when are lice most common?
444933
In the United States, infestation with head lice (Pediculus humanus capitis) is most common among preschool- and elementary school-age children and their household members and caretakers.
1426552
Adult lice may be about the size of a sesame seed or slightly larger. Lice eggs (nits) on hair shafts. Nits may be difficult to see because they're very tiny. They're easiest to spot around the ears and the nape of the neck.
699649
Treatment-Resistant Head Lice The new report was last updated in 2002, and since that time, there has been a growing concern that lice are becoming resistant to some common over-the-counter treatments such as permethrins (like Nix) and pyrethrins (like A-200, Clear Lice System, Pronto, R & C, and Rid).
798249
The most common symptom of any type of lice is itching. Lice bites cause an allergic reaction that causes this itchy feeling. However, you may not feel itchy right away, especially if it's a light infestation. You may not notice any symptoms for up to six weeks the first time you get lice.
184332
How soon do symptoms appear after exposure? Some people may not have symptoms, particularly with the first infestation or when the infestation is light. It may take 4-6 weeks for itching to appear the first time a person has head lice.
1087519
Lice are very, very small insects. In fact, they are so tiny that you can barely see them! Each louse (the name for one of the lice) is only about the size of a sesame seed. Head lice need to be next to skin to survive — and the warmth of your skin is a perfect place for them to live.
533574
Where are head lice most commonly found? Head lice and head lice nits are found almost exclusively on the scalp, particularly around and behind the ears and near the neckline at the back of the head. Head lice or head lice nits sometimes are found on the eyelashes or eyebrows but this is uncommon.
506366
Infested children usually carry fewer than 20 mature head lice (more commonly, less than 10 head lice), each of which, if untreated, live for three to four weeks (6–8). Head lice stay close to the scalp for food, warmth, shelter and moisture (7,8).
1139568
For topical dosage form (lotion): For head lice: Adults and children 6 months of age and older—Apply directly to dry hair and scalp one time only. Children younger than 6 months of age—Use is not recommended.
290651
Head lice occur on the scalp and are easiest to see at the nape of the neck and over the ears. Small nits (eggs) resembling tiny pussy willow buds about the size of dandruff flakes are visible on hair shafts.
739305
It attaches itself firmly to an individual hair strand close to the scalp. After 7 to 10 days, the nit hatches and becomes what is known as a nymph, or a young louse. Nymphs are usually between 1.1 and 1.3 millimeters, and tan or white in color. Nymphs mature into adult lice within about 9 to 12 days.
900995
They all come from the same parasite family, but they're each a different species: You can find head lice on the scalp, neck, and ears. Body lice start out on clothing or in beds, but they move from those locations to people's skin. Pubic lice are also called “crabs.” You can find them on pubic hair and skin.
606575
Lice lay nits on hair shafts close to the scalp, where the temperature is perfect for keeping warm until they hatch. Nits look a bit like dandruff, but aren't removed by brushing or shaking them off. Unless a child has many head lice, it's more common to see nits in the hair than live lice crawling on the scalp.
213601
While lice do prefer fine, straight hair strands over coarse, curly hair, so it is indeed less likely, lice can nevertheless still affect every person regardless of race or hair type. One reason is the variety of ways lice can spread from sharing hair brushes and accessories to touching other people's hair.
168639
Lice feed on human blood 4 or 5 times a day. Lice live and breed within a quarter inch of the hair from the base of the scalp, especially near the ears and neck. Head lice may also thrive in eyebrows and beards. Lice are most active at night.
934407
About 6 million to 12 million of them get it every year. Head lice are most active at night. They can cause such intense itching that your child could lose sleep over it.
1164827
Is Head Lice More Common Now Than Before? Each year, there are millions of reported cases of head lice infestations. Still, there are even more that go unreported across the country. According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), between 6 and 12 million children are affected by head lice each year.