How do lice spread?
In the vast majority of cases, infection occurs through direct hair-to-hair contact.
Even a brief kiss on the cheek, or a moment when you are sharing a screen, book, or game, can result in brief hair contact — enough for lice to transfer.
Head lice are genetically programmed to spread and seize every opportunity to find a new host.
An adult female louse only needs to mate once; she stores the sperm in her body and can then lay eggs day after day.
Therefore, it only takes one fertilized female, or one unfertilized female together with a male, to enter your hair and cause an infestation.
Fertilized females, in particular, are highly mobile and actively seek a new host.
Can I get infected while swimming?
Lice generally do not spread through swimming water.
They can hold their breath for up to 8 hours and have no need to leave a head underwater out of fear of suffocation.
Lice also cannot swim, they can only float. In the rare case that a louse becomes detached from the hair, it may float and, through water movement, end up in another person’s hair — but this chance is extremely small.
A common question is: "Can chlorinated water weaken or kill lice?"
Research shows that chlorinated water does not kill lice. In a 2007 study, lice submerged in chlorinated water for 20 minutes were temporarily immobilized, but they recovered once removed from the water.
Can I get infected through clothing?
Effectively, no.
Lice have legs highly adapted for climbing from hair to hair. Their six legs are equipped with strong gripping claws, perfectly shaped to grasp a hair. This allows them to move through hair at speeds of up to 30 centimeters per minute — from one side of the head to the other — and to transfer to another head when the hairs come into contact.
With these claws, lice are incapable of walking on smooth surfaces. Even on fabric, it is extremely difficult for them to move efficiently, making it virtually impossible for them to transfer to a new host via clothing or other objects. Lice would not have survived as a species if they were unaware of their extremely limited chances of finding a new host in this way.
Instinctively aware of the need to stay in the hair, a louse will never let go while climbing from hair to hair. It holds onto one hair with one or more of its legs, while the other legs search for the next hair, never releasing the previous hair until it has a secure grip on the next.
If a louse were to become detached and end up in the environment, it would die within 24 to 48 hours, as it constantly relies on the warmth and humidity of the scalp and the host’s blood.
A louse therefore has no reason to be found on an object, and except for a weakened or dead louse, you will not encounter them there.
However, there are three exceptions:
- Hairbrushes
- Hair ties
- Fur
Hairbrushes
When brushing, hairs carrying lice can end up in the brush. Lice are photophobic and can hide in the small openings of the brush. A louse cannot survive longer than 48 hours in a hairbrush. Infection is only possible if an infested person has used the brush shortly beforehand and a louse remains on a hair in the brush.
When brushes are frequently used by multiple family members, the risk of cross-contamination increases. We recommend using plastic brushes made in a single piece, such as Tangle Teezer or Hercules Painfree Scalp brushes. When hairs are removed from these brushes, no lice can remain.
You can also place a regular hairbrush in the freezer overnight, but this is not practical for daily use.
Hair bands
When removing the hair tie, hairs with lice can become trapped in it.
A louse is photophobic and can hide in the small creases of the hair tie.
Use plastic hair ties made in one piece, such as Invisibobble hair ties, and keep them free of hair.
.png)
Fur
In addition to the fact that real fur is cruel, it is also made of real hair, which could potentially lead a louse to mistake the fur collar for its host.
Who can get head lice?
Anyone with hair can get head lice, regardless of age or gender.
Head lice prefer warm, humid scalps. People who radiate more body heat or have thick, insulating hair are generally more susceptible.
Men and boys are less frequently affected because they usually have shorter hair. Short hair reduces hair-to-hair contact, which is the primary way lice spread. In addition, shorter hair often creates conditions that are too dry and too cool for lice and their eggs to thrive.
That said, men and boys can still get head lice. In such cases, the louse is likely to seek out a host with more favorable conditions, unless the hair is tick or slightly longer. Even very short hair, such as a buzz cut, is sufficient for a louse to grip and attach eggs, although the likelihood of those eggs developing is low.
What can I do to stay lice-free?
- The most important way to stay lice-free is to check your child once a week using our unique Combing Method.
- Comb-screening weekly confirms you're lice-free. If you find a louse, the infestation is still in its early stage and easy to eliminate.
- Early detection prevents spreading to others and avoids reinfestation.
- Our nourishing Comb Cream replaces conditioner, making weekly checks quick and easy.
- Wear your hair in a bun! Loose hair, braids, or ponytails are more likely to touch others and transfer lice.
- Use plastic brushes and ties where lice cannot nest. Lice only move through hair, but brushes and ties often collect loose hairs.
- Avoid real fur! It’s not only cruel but also a risk for lice transfer.