It may seem redundant to use the terms head lice on hair and hair lice on hair. Head lice and hair lice are often interchangeable. Lice are parasites that feed on the blood of their hosts. The human body can also be home to pubic lice and body lice. Although body lice are larger than hair lice, they can thrive in a less sanitary environment than hair lice.
Let’s start
They live in warm, moist areas such as the armpits, waist, and groin. They can also be found in seams and folds in clothing. In close quarters, body lice thrive. Infestation is unlikely if one bathes frequently, changes into fresh, laundered clothes regularly, and uses clean beddings.
To prevent contagion, it is important to avoid borrowing other clothing. Pubic lice, also known as crabs, is another close relative to hair lice. Crabs can be spread by sexual contact. They can also be transmitted by contact with contaminated objects, such as sheets, blankets, and toilet seats. Some claim they were contaminated by purchasing bathing suits or pants from clothing stores.
Did you know?
Pubic lice are rounder than hair lice. They look very similar to their nameake. The pubic louse is attracted to the warm, moist environment of the pubic region. Blepharitis, which is a form of eye infection, can also be caused by them in children. Secondary infections are possible from excessive scratching, which can cause the skin to become raw or wounded. This is not only the danger of both body lice and pubic lice infestations.
Both cases require thorough washing and cleaning, as well as intensive laundering in hot water with bleach for all clothing and bedding. To prevent any potential asphyxiation, items that are not allowed to be washed or dried should be stored in an airtight bag. The bag should be kept sealed for at least 15 days. You can also use medicated sprays.
Hygiene
Unclean or unsanitary environments are not the cause of hair lice or head lice. Infection is not caused by cleanliness so don’t think that only children or adults who aren’t interested in washing their hair or bathing can get it. It takes just one adult lice infected person to spread the disease. These tiny, wingless insects can’t fly, jump, or swim but they can clamber from strand to Strand using their amazingly designed legs, which are curved for grappling. Hair lice are no larger than a sesame seeds and reproduce quickly.
A single adult female can lay 3-5 eggs per day. It can lay between 50 and 150 eggs over its 30-day lifespan. Head lice can infiltrate other parts of the body, such as the pubic and facial hairs. Scientists say this is impossible because head lice prefer the finer hairs in the head. Head lice especially love the nape area, making it painful to manually extract or nitpick them.
Remember
They are dependent on human blood and cannot live outside of the human body. Manual extraction is the best way to treat infestation. It is less likely that eggs will hatch or disrupt the environment they love, making it less viable for them and their ability to multiply. Until scientists and medicine can come up with something, we will continue to share space with hair lice and hair lice on hair well into next century.
