Where do lice live on a human head? - briefly
Lice inhabit the hair shafts on the scalp, attaching their nits to the base of each strand and preferring regions such as the back of the head, behind the ears, and the neck nape. They feed on blood drawn from the scalp and do not reside on the skin surface.
Where do lice live on a human head? - in detail
Head lice (Pediculus humanus capitis) inhabit the scalp, where temperature and humidity support their development. Adult insects cling to hair shafts, positioning their bodies close to the skin to feed on blood several times a day.
Typical colonisation zones include:
- The region behind the ears, where hair is dense and skin is warm.
- The nape of the neck, offering a protected environment.
- The crown and top of the head, especially where hair is thick.
- The frontal hairline, particularly in children with short hair.
Female lice lay eggs (nits) on the proximal part of each hair strand, usually within 1 cm of the scalp. This placement ensures optimal incubation temperature and facilitates hatching. Nits adhere firmly to the cuticle, making removal difficult without specialized tools.
Lice avoid areas lacking hair or with excessive oil, such as the forehead skin or eyebrows. Their distribution corresponds to regions where hair density, warmth, and accessibility to blood vessels are highest. Continuous movement of the insects along hair shafts allows rapid colonisation of adjacent zones, leading to a dense infestation across the described scalp areas.