Who can bite the head besides lice? - briefly
Head bites may result from scabies mites, bird or rodent mites, bed bugs, fleas, ticks, or spiders. Domestic animals such as dogs or cats can also bite the scalp.
Who can bite the head besides lice? - in detail
Scalp irritation caused by biting can stem from several arthropods and mammals besides the common head louse.
Mites of the genus Demodex inhabit hair follicles and sebaceous glands; the species Demodex folliculorum may bite or penetrate the skin, producing localized itching and erythema.
Pediculus humanus capitis is the typical head louse, but other ectoparasites such as Pthirus pubis (pubic louse) occasionally migrate to the scalp and bite, especially in cases of heavy infestation.
Sarcoptes scabiei, the causative agent of scabies, can affect the scalp. The mite’s burrowing activity results in intense pruritus and small punctate lesions that mimic bite marks.
Dermatophagous insects, including certain species of Dermestes beetles and Cimex lectularius (bed bug), are known to bite exposed scalp skin when individuals sleep in infested environments. Their bites appear as red papules surrounded by a halo of inflammation.
Small mammals such as rodents, stray cats, and dogs may chew or nip at hair and scalp during close contact, leaving puncture wounds and secondary infection risk.
Flesh‑feeding flies, notably Sarcophagidae (flesh flies) and Stomoxys calcitrans (stable fly), occasionally land on the head and deliver painful bites that can be mistaken for louse activity.
Ticks, particularly Ixodes species, can attach to hair and bite the scalp if the hair is short or the skin is exposed. Their attachment sites often exhibit a firm, engorged lesion with a central punctum.
These organisms differ in life cycle, preferred habitat, and management requirements. Accurate identification through visual inspection, dermoscopy, or laboratory analysis guides appropriate treatment, ranging from topical acaricides for mites to insecticidal shampoos for beetles and environmental control for rodents and flies.