Where do household lice appear? - briefly
Household lice reside primarily on the hair and scalp of affected individuals. They can also be found on hats, scarves, pillowcases, mattresses, and upholstered furniture that come into direct contact with the host.
Where do household lice appear? - in detail
Household lice are typically confined to areas where human hosts spend extended periods of close contact. The most common sites include:
- Scalp and hair of adults and children, especially in families with frequent head‑to‑head interaction.
- Bedding materials such as pillowcases, sheets, and mattress covers, which retain detached nits and adult insects.
- Personal items that remain in close proximity to the head, including hats, scarves, hairbrushes, and combs.
- Upholstered furniture, particularly sofas and armchairs where individuals rest their heads or shoulders.
- Clothing that is worn near the scalp, such as caps, helmets, and neckwear, especially if stored in shared closets.
- Carpets and rugs in rooms where people sit or lie down for long periods, providing a hidden reservoir for eggs.
The life cycle of lice involves eggs (nits) adhering firmly to hair shafts, making them resistant to removal from fabric surfaces. Adult insects survive only a few days off a host, but nits can remain viable for several weeks, allowing infestation to persist in the listed environments. Regular laundering of bedding and personal textiles at temperatures above 60 °C, combined with thorough vacuuming of upholstered surfaces, disrupts the life cycle and reduces the risk of recurrence.