Where can lice hide? - briefly
Lice typically reside in hair shafts close to the scalp, attaching to strands near the roots. They also conceal themselves in headwear, scarves, pillowcases, and seams of clothing or bedding where hair contacts the fabric.
Where can lice hide? - in detail
Lice survive by clinging to hair or fabric fibers where they are protected from removal and have access to blood meals. The most common refuges include:
- Scalp hair, especially near the crown and behind the ears where hair is dense.
- Hair shafts close to the skin; nits are cemented within a few millimeters of the scalp.
- Facial hair such as beards, mustaches, sideburns, and eyebrows.
- Eyelashes, where pediculicidal treatments are less effective.
- Headwear, including hats, scarves, helmets, and hair bands that press hair against the scalp.
- Bedding materials—pillows, sheets, blankets—where nits may fall and hatch.
- Clothing seams and cuffs, particularly in garments that remain in prolonged contact with the head.
- Upholstered furniture, car seats, and carpet fibers that trap stray hairs and eggs.
- Personal items such as combs, brushes, hair clips, and headphones.
Each site offers protection from environmental exposure and facilitates contact with the host’s skin, ensuring the insect’s feeding and reproductive cycles continue. Regular inspection of these locations, combined with thorough cleaning of textiles and personal accessories, is essential for effective control.