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What Are Head Lice?

Head lice are tiny wingless insects. They live among human hairs and feed on blood from the scalp.

Head lice are a common problem, especially for little kids. But teens can get them too. They spread easily from person to person, and sometimes are tough to get rid of. Their bites can make the scalp itchy and irritated, and scratching can lead to infection.

Head lice are annoying, but they're not dangerous and they don't spread disease. They're not a sign of poor hygiene — head lice need blood and they don't care whether it's from someone who's clean or dirty.

It's best to treat head lice right away to prevent them from spreading.