Lice

Lice feed on human on human blood, living on different parts of the body. Head lice live in hair and are most common among school-aged children, who attend daycare centers, classrooms, and camps, but anyone can get them.

Meanwhile, body lice mostly infest the chest and torso, hiding in the seams and folds of clothes that come in contact with the human body. Pubic/crab lice are commonly found in the pubic area, arpits, eyebrows and beards.

The average louse feeds on blood every three to six hours. Lice can live in temperatures of up to 54°C, but cannot survive off the human body for over 48 hours.

Head lice eggs are laid and cemented to the base of hair near the scalp, while body lice eggs are laid and glued to cloth. Lice eggs hatch into nymphs after a week. Adult body lice can live for about 30 days on a host and head lice for about 24 days.

Lice are not caused by dirty hair or poor hygiene. Both head and body lice are spread and transferred by direct contact with infested hair, hair accessories, clothing, towels, pillows, bedding, and blankets.