How to avoid catching lice? - briefly
Regularly inspect hair and avoid sharing personal items such as combs, hats, and headphones. Keep hair clean, use preventive shampoos, and limit close head‑to‑head contact with others.
How to avoid catching lice? - in detail
Lice spread primarily through direct head‑to‑head contact and, to a lesser extent, via shared personal items such as combs, hats, and headphones. The insects cannot jump or fly; they move only by crawling, which makes close proximity the main risk factor.
Effective prevention relies on three categories of action: personal habits, environmental control, and regular monitoring.
- Keep hair tied back or covered when interacting with others, especially in crowded settings.
- Avoid sharing combs, brushes, hair accessories, hats, scarves, or headphones.
- Wash clothing, bedding, and towels after each use in hot water (minimum 130 °F/54 °C) and dry on high heat.
- Use a lice‑repellent spray containing dimethicone on hair and scalp before attending events where close contact is likely.
- Inspect hair daily for live insects or viable nits, focusing on the nape, behind ears, and crown.
Maintain a clean environment by vacuuming upholstered furniture, car seats, and carpeted areas regularly. Store personal items in sealed plastic bags for at least 48 hours if exposure is suspected, as lice cannot survive without a host beyond that period.
For families with school‑aged children, enforce a policy of immediate removal of headgear before entering classrooms, and educate children on the importance of not exchanging hair accessories. Schools should conduct routine screenings and notify parents promptly when cases are identified.
Early detection prevents larger outbreaks. If live lice or viable eggs are found, treat the affected individual with a pediculicide approved by health authorities, repeat treatment according to product guidelines, and repeat environmental cleaning to eliminate residual organisms.