Lice: Prevention

Content provided by Healthwise

Prevention

Head lice can affect people of any income or social level. It is very difficult to prevent lice from spreading among children because they commonly share hats, combs, and other items. Frequently examining the scalps of your school-age children may help you discover and treat lice before they spread to the rest of your family. Avoiding prolonged close contact with a person who has lice will also reduce your risk.

Pubic lice are spread primarily among people who have many sex partners. Reducing the number of sex partners you have may help reduce your risk of getting pubic lice.

Body lice may be prevented by bathing regularly and changing clothes daily. Body lice live on clothing, not on the body. Washing clothing in hot water [ or higher] will usually kill adult lice and prevent eggs from hatching. Body lice that are present on the skin usually go away on their own with daily bathing and wearing clothes that are not contaminated. Medicines to kill body lice are usually not necessary.

Last updated:	November 24, 2006
Author:	Ralph Poore
Reviewed By:	Michael J. Sexton, MD - Pediatrics, Thomas Emmett Francoeur, MDCM, CSPQ, FRCPC - Pediatrics
Editors:	Susan Van Houten, RN, BSN, MBA, Pat Truman, MATC