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Head louse

Head louse

Pediculus humanus capitis

A species of Pediculus, Also known as Head lice

The head louse is a parasite that lives exclusively on human scalps and feeds on blood. It cannot fly, jump, or transmit diseases to humans but can cause severe discomfort and psychological distress to it's hosts. The females have a lifespan of about four weeks and the can lay 50-150 eggs in that span.

Bite Humans
Bite Humans
Cause Disease in Humans
Pathogenic
Does Head louse consume human blood?
Hematophagy
How Does the Head louse Practice Parasitism?
Parasite
General Info About Head louse
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Attributes of Head louse
Colors
Brown
Black
White
Habitat
Human hair
Adult Food Sources
Human blood
Larva Food Source
Human blood
Non-poisonous
The Head louse is non-toxic and generally doesn't pose a risk to human health. No need for excessive worry.
Borer
Not reported
Pollinator
Not reported
Pest-Eating Predatory
Not reported
Phytophagous
Not reported
Predatory
Not reported
Biting animal or pet
Not reported
Mouthparts Type
Piercing-sucking mouthparts
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Appearance of Head louse
Anoplura, adult head lice are small (2.5 - 3 mm long), dorsoventrally flattened, and entirely wingless. The thoracic segments are fused, but otherwise distinct from the head and abdomen, the latter being composed of seven visible segments. Head lice are grey in general, but their precise color varies according to the environment in which they were raised. One pair of antennae, each with five segments, protrudes from the insect's head. Head lice also have one pair of eyes. Each egg is oval-shaped. They are bright, transparent, and tan to coffee-colored so long as they contain an embryo, but appear white after hatching.
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How to Identify Head louse?

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Life Cycle of Head louse
Egg Head louse begins life enclosed in an egg, typically attached to a hair shaft. The egg, or nit, is oval and minute. Its color camouflages with the surroundings to protect from predators.
Nymph The nymph stage resembles the adult head louse but is smaller, lacks reproductive structures, and is often lighter in color. Nymphs undergo several molts, increasing in size with each molt.
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Adult Size of Head louse
2.5 - 3 mm
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Interesting Facts About Head louse
Head louse have evolved claws perfectly adapted to clasp onto human hair, allowing them to navigate our scalps with remarkable agility.
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Scientific Classification of Head louse
Tips for Finding Head louse
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Habitat Preferences of Head louse Through Different Life Stages
The eggs of head louse are commonly found firmly attached to human hair strands near the scalp, as they require warmth to incubate. As nymphs, after hatching, they remain close to the scalp, feeding on human blood and mature through several molts. Adult head louse continue to inhabit the hair of their human hosts, primarily around and behind the ears and near the neckline at the back of the head. When searching for these stages, start with a fine-toothed comb or with the aid of a magnifying lens, focusing on the base of hair strands for eggs, and the aforementioned areas for nymphs and adults.
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When is the Best Time to Observe Head louse
Anytime, as head louse are not influenced significantly by seasonal changes due to living in close association with humans.
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What is the Best Weather to Observe Head louse
Indoors, weather is not a critical factor as head louse thrive at temperatures close to that of the human body.
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How and Where Can You Find Head louse at Different Life Stages
Nymph Head louse nymphs can be located by examining the scalp, especially behind the ears and near the neckline at the back of the head. Use a fine-toothed comb to gently pass through the hair, inspecting the comb after each stroke.
Adult To find adult head louse, perform a visual inspection of the hair or use a specialized detection comb. Look closely for the presence of head louse or their eggs (nits) attached to the hair shafts, particularly in the regions mentioned for the nymph stage.
Are Head louse harmful?
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Head louse can suck blood from the head, causing affected areas to be itchy or infected. Head louse can also cause hairs to lose their shine, or even cause shedding.

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Are Head louse harmful to humans?

They suck on host blood and bite the skin, which can cause dermatitis and itching.
They like to bite on the neck, shoulders, armpits, waist and seams of clothes.
The blood-sucking place is often scratched, leaving scars and tiny bloodstains. Epidermal exfoliation and bleeding are common symptoms. In severe cases, pus infections will occur.
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Without intervention, the hair may be adhered by plasma, which is not easy to separate and gives off a bad smell. Over time, hair becomes malnourished and tarnished. In severe cases, even hair loss may occurs.
Head lice are common, but they are not vectors of any disease.
Body lice can spread diseases such as typhus, trench fever, return fever, and plague.
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Because children like to play together intimately, children aged 3-14 are susceptible to head lice.
Modern people pay more and more attention to their own health, so head lice usually do not have a huge impact on human health.
After infection with head lice, the scalp itches due to bites. Children can't help scratching, which can easily lead to mental inattention. It's itchier when exercising or when the head is heated.
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Where do Head louse come from?

  • Children who have been infected with head lice play at school with uninfected children.
  • Sitting near someone who has been infected with head lice.
  • Sleep in the same bed with the person who has been infected with lice. Cover the same bed with the same pillow.
  • Share a comb, hat, towel or scarf with someone who has been infected with head lice.
  • In contact with bedding and clothing of persons who have been infected with body lice.
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How to get rid of Head louse?

There is no need to fumigate the house or isolate pets for the reason that the breeding of lice has nothing to do with the cleanness of the environment. They are not brought home by cats, dogs, or other pets, nor do they breed in pet hair.
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Treatment of hair
  • You can cut long hair that is difficult to handle.
  • Hot air grade of the ordinary household hairdryer can effectively kill head lice. So it is advised to insist on using a hairdryer with hot air to treat the scalp continuously for one month per week (the more frequent the better effect).
  • Each time use a new headline to tie your hair, discard the used headline or clean it before using.
  • Choose a fine comb to fix your hair. It is easier to scrape off head lice after wetting hair. But this will take a lot of time.
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High-temperature treatment
  • Soak clothes, hats, hair accessories, scarves, sheets, pillowcases, and rag dolls placed on the bed with detergent and 54 ℃ hot water for 20 min. Then wash and dry with a dryer, which can effectively kill lice and egg.
  • For non-washable clothes, you can choose dry cleaning and ironing.
  • Items that cannot be washed or dried at all should be sealed in plastic bags and stored in a warm place for at least two weeks.
  • Soak the comb and towel of the infected patient in boiling water for 5-10 min or longer before using.
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Use a vacuum cleaner. It can effectively remove lice and eggs dropped on mattresses, furniture, carpets, and floors.
Spray lice products. Spray on mattresses, sofas and other furniture to wipe out the eggs at the seams.
Ironing clothes. Body lice like to hide in the seams of clothes. So be sure to iron the seams of clothes.
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Seek medical treatment
If you cannot bear the harassment of lice, please seek medical treatment in time.
Do not attempt to overuse any of the recommended or prescribed doses of the drug with the intention of speeding up treatment. Failure to follow the doctor's instructions may have unknown serious consequences.
Also do not use multiple drugs at the same time during the treatment process. Mixing multiple drugs with different ingredients may cause chemical reactions, loss of efficacy or even produce substances that are toxic and harmful to the human body.
Note that ordinary lice treatment cannot be performed on children under 2 months without permission. The treatment recommended by the doctor should be used after full communication with the family doctor.
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Harmful Effects of Head louse
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Hematophagy
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Bite Humans

Head louse feed on human blood through sucking. They pierce the skin with their mouthparts and secrete saliva that prevents blood clotting. This feeding process can cause irritation and itching, but it doesn't involve biting in the conventional sense.

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Cause Disease in Humans

Head louse is responsible for head louse infestation, or pediculosis, in humans. Direct head-to-head contact spreads these parasites, which cause intense itching and potential secondary bacterial infections from scratching. Long-term infestations may lead to sleep disturbances and embarrassment, affecting mental wellbeing.

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Does Head louse consume human blood?

Head louse exclusively feed on human blood by piercing the scalp with specialized mouthparts, causing irritation. This obligate parasitism impacts hosts through itchiness and potential transmission of diseases. They do not feed on animals like cats or dogs, adhering strictly to Homo sapiens.

More Effects of Head louse

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