How Do Head Lice Infestations Spread?

Answer:
One of the most dreaded moments at any preschool, day

care, or elementary school is when a child is found to be infested with lice. This infestation can quickly spread, as children are in the habit of sharing, and are in close contact with each other.

Although head lice are commonly thought to jump, this is a myth. Lice do not jump or fly, and are spread only through direct contact to another person’s hair or an article that then touches their hair. Common culprits are shared brushes, hats, helmets, hair accessories, hoods, towels, and headrests.

Because of this, anyone in contact with head lice should wash, vacuum, or throw away all objects that may have touched the head. Lice cannot survive more than one or two days off of a human head.