Head louse

The head louse, Pediculus humanus capitis, is a wingless insect that lives on the human scalp and feeds on blood. It spreads mainly through direct head-to-head contact.

Louse egg: A nit is an egg laid by a louse and attached to a hair shaft. Head lice cement their eggs near the scalp, where warmth supports development.
Pediculosis capitis: Pediculosis capitis is an infestation of the scalp by head lice. It is the condition caused by this species.
Body louse: The body louse is a human louse that lives and lays eggs mainly in clothing seams. It is a close relative with a different habitat and greater role in disease transmission.
Head-louse resistance to insecticides: Head-louse resistance to insecticides is reduced susceptibility to chemicals used to kill lice. Resistance explains why a previously effective treatment may fail in some populations.
Nymph (louse): A nymph is an immature louse that resembles a smaller adult and molts as it grows. Hatched head lice pass through three nymphal stages before becoming adults.
Fine-toothed comb: A fine-toothed comb has closely spaced teeth designed to remove small particles or organisms from hair. Systematic combing can detect and remove live lice and eggs.
Pubic louse: The pubic louse is a human-feeding louse, Pthirus pubis, usually found in coarse body hair. It is another human louse, but belongs to a distinct genus and favors different hair.
Pediculicide: A pediculicide is a substance intended to kill lice. Head-louse treatments are selected from this broader class of products.
Blood-feeding arthropod: A blood-feeding arthropod is an invertebrate that takes blood meals from vertebrate hosts. Head lice depend on repeated blood meals taken from the scalp.
Permethrin: Permethrin is a synthetic pyrethroid insecticide used in some topical treatments for lice and other pests. It is a common treatment, though resistance can reduce its effectiveness.

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