Lice are only passed to others by close head-to-head contact. Even then the risk is low.
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This shows head lice nits in the hair. Nits are the eggs of head lice which stick to the hair.
Nymph: the nit hatches into a baby louse called a nymph. It looks like an adult louse, but smaller. Nymphs mature into adults about 7 days after hatching. To live, the nymph must feed on blood.
Adult: the adult louse is about the size of a sesame seed, has six legs and is tan to greyish-white. In people with dark hair, the adult louse will look darker. Female lice, which are usually larger than male lice, lay eggs. Adult lice can live up to 30 days on a person’s head. To live, adult lice need to feed on blood. If the louse falls off a person, it dies within 2 days.
This shows an allergic reaction to the saliva of a louse (a louse is one lice). It makes the skin itchy and red.
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