Here are some facts about lice:
Lice infestation on the human body (also known as pediculosis) is very common. Cases number in the hundreds of millions worldwide.
Lice die if they are away from a human's head or body for more than 2 days. Lice are 1-3 mm long (about the size of a sesame seed) and cling to the hair shaft. During the life cycle of lice, the female louse lays eggs, called nits, that attach to the hair shaft close to the scalp or body. These nits, which resemble dandruff, are attached with a gluelike, water-insoluble substance that makes them difficult to remove. After 6-10 days, the nits hatch as nymphs and become adults in 10 days. Adult lice live about 30 days on their human hosts.
* Head lice (Pediculus humanus capitis): The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that 6-12 million people in the United States are infested each year with head lice.
o Children aged 3-10 years in preschool, elementary school, or daycare centers are most likely to have lice. All socioeconomic classes are affected.
o Lice can appear in anyone's hair (more common in girls than boys), no matter what hair length or the person's degree of cleanliness. Lice are seen less often, however, in African Americans due to hair type.
o Head lice will not infect dogs, cats, or other pets.
Here is a good site to get more information on how to treat lice:
www.emedicinehealth.com/...
