Head Lice: CDC Information

CDC Head Lice Resources

Up-to-date information about head lice biology, risk factors, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention.

https://www.cdc.gov/parasites/lice/head/index.html

Adult head lice are roughly 2–3 mm long. Head lice infest the head and neck and attach their eggs to the base of the hair shaft. Lice move by crawling; they cannot hop or fly.

Head lice infestation, or pediculosis, is spread most commonly by close person-to-person contact. Dogs, cats, and other pets do not play a role in the transmission of human lice.

Both over-the-counter and prescription medications are available for treatment of head lice infestations.

Image pictured below: Two lice viewed under an electron microscope. Note the claws used to grasp onto individual hairs. Credit: CDC

home_page_image_head