Some people never feel itchy at all. Symptoms Head lice cause a tickling feeling of something moving in the hair, itching, and sores on the head. It is estimated 6 to 12 million infestations occur each year in the United States among children 3 to 11 years of age. In general, a person infested with head lice will have fewer than a dozen live lice on his or her head at a time, although hundreds of developing, dead and hatched eggs may be present. If you’ve ever encountered head lice in your family, you may know that lice afflict some 6-12 million people—mostly children—each year, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. An overview of the head louse is also provided. The type of insect a person is infested with determines the type of lice the person has -- head lice, body lice, or pubic lice. While there are many myths about how lice are spread, simple head-to-head contact is the usual culprit. Scratching is the cause of most complications due to lice, as it can cause abrasions that may lead to secondary infections. Lice are a serious nuisance and they never seem to go away. When symptoms do happen, the most common problem is itching that may start weeks or even months after the lice move in. Although the nits can be confused with dandruff, when you see adult lice moving around your head, that’s unmistakable. Head lice are a common problem with preschool and elementary school-aged children. There is no need to do this and it will just cause you unnecessary stress and create added expenses you don’t need. Whether you’ve just discovered head lice or you’ve heard it’s going around, learn the who, what, where, when, why, and how of getting head lice. Discover what causes head lice and how to avoid getting lice in the future. Itching from lice bites is common. Head lice are a common concern in Head Start and Early Head Start programs. Head lice or head lice nits sometimes are found on the eyelashes or eyebrows but this is uncommon. In many children, head lice don't cause any discomfort. The causes of head lice are typically instances of direct contact with an infested person. Lice is caused by an infestation with one of three types of a small, wingless insect. The tiny parasitic insects are most often found behind the ears and near the neckline at the back of the neck. Health Services Newsletter . Where do head lice originate? You can get lice through either direct or indirect contact with a person that has lice, although you are much more likely to get them through direct contact. Head lice. Head Lice; No one likes to think about an infestation of any kind attacking their scalp. Certain risk factors, such as sharing clothing or bedding with an infested person, can increase your likelihood of becoming infested. It is estimated 6 to 12 million infestations occur each year in the United States among children 3 to 11 years of age. You can only get head lice from someone else that has them. In this article, learn about the causes of lice… Head lice are insects that are less than 1/8th inch long. I will also examine the many ways to cure them, including natural remedies for lice eradication. Small nits (eggs) resembling tiny pussy willow buds about the size of dandruff flakes are visible on hair shafts. Health Services Newsletter . MANAGING HEAD LICE. Head lice cause a tickling feeling of something moving in the hair, itching, and sores on the head. The primary cause of Head lice is the result: of transmission of an infectious agent by another person by one or more of the following: saliva, air, cough, fecal-oral route, surfaces, blood, needles, blood transfusions, sexual contact, mother to fetus, etc. There is no need to do this and it will just cause you unnecessary stress and create added expenses you don’t need. Primary Cause of Head lice . What Causes Head Lice? MANAGING HEAD LICE. Don’t burn your house down and don’t start replacing expensive furnishings or mattresses. If you’ve ever encountered head lice in your family, you may know that lice afflict some 6-12 million people—mostly children—each year, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Head lice infestation, also known as pediculosis capitis and nits, is the infection of the head hair and scalp by the head louse (Pediculus humanus capitis). Head lice occur on the scalp and are easiest to see at the nape of the neck and over the ears. These otherwise harmless parasites can cause itchiness and discomfort. Head lice infestation is a common problem. Head lice have existed on humans for thousands of years. Where Do Head Lice Come From? Lice are a serious nuisance and they never seem to go away. Where Do Head Lice Come From? Head lice are a common problem with preschool and elementary school-aged children. So if you are wondering how head … They live on blood they draw from the scalp. However, as this eMedTV Web page explains, the lice can also be spread through contact with infested clothing. A person may not experience any initial symptoms of head lice – the itching may not start until a week or two after the initial infestation.