head lice

Shocking video uploaded to Liveleak.com shows a Mexican woman apparently asleep on public transportation with lice swarming all over her hair and a black hat she is wearing.

The other passengers on the bus seemed unaware of the lice infestation in their midst.

Head lice, or nits, are six-legged greyish-white parasites that typically spread from head-to-head contact or by sharing personal items such as hats, combs, brushes or sleeping on infested pillows and bed linen.

Contrary to popular belief, head lice do not jump from head-to-head.

Head lice feed on blood from the scalp to survive. They usually live on the scalp for 30 days. They don’t live long off the scalp.

Caucasian preschool and elementary school students have the highest risk of contracting head lice. But anyone with grade 1 or 2 (straight, stringy) hair types are at risk.

Black people with grade 3 or 4 (nappy, tightly coiled) hair types have the lowest risk or no risk for head lice infestation.

hair grade types

Symptoms of head lice infestation include intense itching and sores or scabs on the scalp.

Head lice are becoming resistant to traditional self-treatment with over-the-counter products. Even saturating the head with Olive oil has proven to be an exercise in futility.

Doctors suggest consulting your health care provider for prescription-strength nit-removal treatment.

 

Hair grade types chart via June’s Journal