We have provided these FAQs and associated documents to provide parents, health workers, school officials and others with important information relevant to the biology, diagnosis and management of head louse infestations. Brand names have not been mentioned, nor do we endorse any particular commercial product. This web site is intended for informational purposes and is not meant to substitute for the advice provided by a medical professional. Always consult a physician if you have personal health concerns.
If you have questions that you do not see addressed here, please feel free to contact us. We will strive to answer any specific question you may have concerning head lice and will expand and add to this list of FAQs as necessary over time.
- What are head lice?
- What are body lice?
- What are pubic lice?
- What about non-human lice?
- What are book, bark, beggar's and sea lice?
- What about cryptic or 'imagined' infestations?
- Do head lice cause harm?
- Why were my children sent home from school?
- From whom did my child acquire head lice?
- What is the origin of head lice?
- How many people are infested with head lice?
- What methods can I use to treat head lice?
- Should everyone in the home be treated?
- Are head lice resistant to insecticides?
- Do insecticides cause resistance?
- Will mechanical removal work?
- What about nit-picking services?
- What about pyrethroid insecticides?
- What about non-pyrethroid insecticides?
- What about essential oils?
- What about enzyme treatments?
- What about antibiotics?
- What about anti-parasitic drugs?
- What about suffocating agents?
- What about using heat?
- What about freezing?
- What about hair cuts to stop the spread of lice?
- What about using hair soap, bleaches or dyes?
- Do dogs and/or cats serve to maintain or transfer head lice?
- Should I clean my house & car to eliminate lice?
- What should be cleaned?
- Should I use insecticides in the house?
- Can anything repel lice?
- How can I have lice specimens evaluated?
