Back to Health A to Z. Head lice and nits are very common in young children and their families. They do not have anything to do with dirty hair and are picked up by head-to-head contact. You can do this by combing their hair with a special fine-toothed comb detection comb.
Head lice are parasites that live in your hair and feed off the blood from your scalp. Transmitted by close contact and known to spread quickly, head lice are most common among children ages 3 to In fact, up to 12 million head lice infestations occur each year in the United States within that age group alone. To keep your family head-lice-free, learn how to spot the signs and symptoms of infection such as itchiness, discolored bumps, and visual cues. Therefore, difficulty sleeping and daytime irritability may be a sign.
Lice are tiny insects called parasites that spread by personal contact, as well as by sharing belongings. Children are particularly likely to catch and spread lice. There are three main types of lice. The most common symptom of any type of lice is itching. Lice bites cause an allergic reaction that causes this itchy feeling.
Medically reviewed by Drugs. Last updated on May 30, Head lice are small, parasitic insects that infest hair on the head of people.