You get lice primarily through direct head-to-head contact with a person who already has lice. This is the most common way lice spread, especially among children playing closely at school or home
. Lice cannot jump or fly; they crawl from one person's hair to another's. They feed on human blood and lay eggs (nits) firmly attached to hair shafts near the scalp
. Although less common, lice can also spread by sharing personal items that have touched an infested person's hair, such as:
- Hats, scarves, coats, or hair accessories
- Combs, brushes, or towels
- Pillows, bedding, or upholstered furniture recently used by someone with lice
Lice infestation is not related to cleanliness or hygiene. They can affect anyone regardless of how clean they are
. In summary, lice are mainly acquired by close head-to-head contact and, to a lesser extent, by sharing personal items that come into contact with hair.
