How Do You Get Lice?

Lice are parasites that survive on your body by living off your blood. Three types of lice impact humans: head lice, body lice, and pubic lice. Head lice, the most common type, are tiny seed-like insects on your scalp. Body lice live on your clothing and bedding and then travel periodically to your skin to feed. Pubic lice (crabs) live on your genital area but also can live on body hair.

Although each type of lice is different, and having one type doesn't mean you'll get the others, all lice are spread similarly—through contact with the lice or their eggs (nits).

You typically get lice from human-to-human contact (direct contact). You can also get lice from indirect contact, such as sharing clothing, bedding, or other personal items.

Direct Contact

Spreading head lice almost always happens through direct head-to-head or hair-to-hair contact with someone who has lice. Children are likely to pass lice to one another during playtime, at school, during sports, on the playground, during sleepovers, or at camp. Any activity where children's heads make contact with each other is an opportunity to spread lice.

Pubic lice almost always spread through close, intimate contact—typically sexual contact since these lice live in the genital area.

Although body lice can also spread via direct contact with someone with body lice, this type more frequently spreads through indirect contact.

Indirect Contact

Head and pubic lice primarily spread through direct human-to-human contact but can also be spread indirectly.

Head lice sometimes spread when sharing clothing, hats, or other items where the lice have attached themselves to hair present on these items. Head lice can survive for two days after falling off of a person. That's why it's recommended not to share hair accessories, combs, brushes, scarves, coats, linens, or stuffed animals, especially if there's a lice outbreak.

Rarely, pubic lice can be spread by touching the clothing or bedding of a person with pubic lice or using the toilet seat someone with pubic lice just used.

Of the three types of lice, body lice are the most likely to indirectly spread because they can survive on clothing and linens for many hours. Vody lice can live up to three days without a host (a human) in most areas they fall, but they can live for up to one month in the seams of clothes. Body lice are often spread through shared towels or clothing from someone with body lice. They can also be spread through beds or bed linens.

Is Lice Hereditary?

There is no indication that lice are hereditary or that people with certain genetic makeups are more likely to get lice than others.

While there are no genes behind who is more likely to acquire lice, lice may be more likely to spread within a family once someone in the household has lice. Household members are more likely to get lice due to proximity, not any hereditary factors.

There's also no indication that you can get lice from animals.

Who Gets Lice?

Anyone can get lice, but being in certain circumstances increases your likelihood of getting it. Who's more likely to get lice also depends on the type of lice.

Head Lice

Head lice are most prevalent among children and those living with them. Preschoolers and elementary-aged children are the most impacted age group. About 6-12 million lice outbreaks occur yearly in children ages 3-11.

Research points to girls being more likely to get head lice than boys. African Americans or other people with similar hair textures are much less likely to get head lice than people of other races. This is likely because of variations in hair types and a louse's ability to attach better to certain hair types.

Cleanliness is not a factor when it comes to who gets lice.

Body Lice

People at the greatest risk for body lice are those who can't bathe or clean their clothes frequently and people who live in crowded areas. In the United States, body lice are most common among people experiencing homelessness. Around the world, body lice more typically impact people in war regions, refugees, and survivors of natural disasters.

Pubic Lice

Pubic lice, or crabs, are most common among sexually active adults. If a child has pubic lice—whether in their genital region, hair, or eyelashes—it may be a sign of sexual abuse.

Cleanliness is not a factor when it comes to who gets public lice.

Risk Factors

Risk factors for lice include being in close contact with someone with lice or touching an item with lice or lice eggs (nits). If you're aware of a lice outbreak, you should take preventative measures and avoid these types of contacts. Even if you aren't aware of any lice activity, take precautions to avoid getting or passing lice.

You can reduce your risk of lice to yourself and others with the following tips:

• Instruct children to avoid head-to-head or hair-to-hair contact with their friends at school or during other activities
• Don't share clothing, hats, scarves, hair accessories, brushes, combs, or towels with others
• Don't share beds, pillows, sheets, stuffed animals, or other fabric items with anyone who has recently had lice of any kind
• Disinfect all brushes and combs after use and machine wash all clothing and linens in hot water (130 degrees Fahrenheit, or about 54.4 degrees Celsius) if you have a lice outbreak at home
• Follow healthcare provider instructions for eliminating lice in your hair, body, or pubic area
• Avoid sexual contact with someone who has pubic lice, and only resume contact once they're successfully treated

A Quick Review

Lice types include head, body, and pubic lice. Head and pubic lice are primarily spread through direct human contact but can sometimes spread through indirect contact with clothing or other items containing lice. Body lice more often spread through contact with clothing and linens containing lice.

If you have lice, regardless of type, it's important to take measures to treat the lice so the insects don't spread to others.