Head lice are a common concern, often associated with children and long hair. Many mistakenly believe only girls or those with long hair can get them. However, head lice infestations are not limited by gender or hair length. Guys can, and do, get lice.
The Truth About Lice and Guys
Head lice are tiny parasitic insects that primarily infest the human scalp, feeding on small amounts of blood. Their presence is not a sign of poor hygiene; these creatures require a human host regardless of cleanliness. While more frequently observed in females, this does not mean males are immune.
Lice attach their eggs, called nits, to the hair shaft close to the scalp. Hair length does not prevent an infestation, as lice only need hair to lay eggs and access the scalp for feeding. Even very short hair or buzz cuts can harbor lice. The primary factor for infestation is close head-to-head contact, which is unrelated to gender or hair length.
How Lice Spread
Head lice move by crawling and cannot jump, hop, or fly. They most commonly spread through direct head-to-head contact with an infested person. This often occurs in situations where people are in close proximity, such as during sports activities, play, or even hugging. Children are particularly susceptible due to their frequent close physical interactions.
Less commonly, lice can spread through shared personal items like hats, scarves, or combs. However, lice cannot survive long away from a human scalp, typically dying within one to two days without a blood meal. Transmission through inanimate objects is therefore less frequent than direct head-to-head contact.
Identifying and Treating Lice
Identifying a head lice infestation involves looking for specific signs. Common symptoms include an itchy scalp, a tickling sensation of something moving in the hair, or small red bumps and sores from scratching. Itching may not start immediately, sometimes taking four to six weeks after the initial infestation. To check for lice, focus on the scalp, especially behind the ears and at the nape of the neck, as these are preferred areas for lice and nits.
Adult lice are small, grayish-white or tan, and move quickly, making them difficult to spot. Nits, the eggs, are tiny, oval-shaped, and usually white to yellowish-brown, firmly attached to hair shafts close to the scalp. Unlike dandruff, nits cannot be easily brushed away. A fine-toothed nit comb used on wet, conditioned hair can help detect both lice and nits.
Treatment for head lice usually involves over-the-counter medicated shampoos, rinses, or lotions. Follow product instructions carefully, including application time and whether a second treatment is needed, typically 7 to 9 days later, to kill newly hatched lice. Manual removal of nits with a fine-toothed comb after treatment is also recommended. To help prevent reinfestation, avoid head-to-head contact and refrain from sharing personal head-worn items.