Facts every parent should know
Head lice (Pediculus humanus capitis) are tiny parasitic insects that live on the human scalp and feed on blood. They are not dangerous, but they’re highly contagious and very common — especially among school-aged children.
Nits are lice eggs.
They are oval, about the size of a knot in thread (0.5mm), and are usually yellow or white.
Nits stick firmly to hair shafts, close to the scalp — they do not move.
People often mistake dandruff or sand for nits, but unlike dandruff, nits don’t brush off easily.
Day 0–7
🪺 Egg/Nit Stage
Laid near the scalp, glued to hair
Hatch in 7–10 days
Day 8–15
🪰 Nymph Stage
Baby lice hatch from nits
Feed on blood several times daily
Mature in 9–12 days
Day 16+
🪳 Adult Lice
About the size of a sesame seed
Can live up to 30 days on a person
Lay up to 10 eggs per day
🛑 Off the head?
Lice die within 24–48 hours without a blood meal
Persistent itching (from saliva allergies)
Tickling feeling or movement in the hair
Red bites or scratch marks around the ears or nape of the neck
Visible nits near the scalp
Live lice (harder to spot — they’re fast!)
Lice do not jump or fly — they crawl
Transmission is mostly head-to-head contact
Pets cannot carry or spread head lice
Hygiene has nothing to do with getting lice
Lice are becoming resistant to many over-the-counter chemical treatments
While treating the scalp is most important, cleaning your home helps avoid re-infestation:
Wash pillowcases, hats, brushes, and bedding in hot water
Vacuum car seats and sofas
Tie up long hair, avoid sharing hats or hair accessories
Daily checks during outbreaks help catch lice early
At Nits Happen, we use natural, safe ingredients that:
Dissolve the glue holding nits to hair
Smother and kill live lice
Soothe irritated scalps
Are gentle for children and parents alike
Lice can survive underwater for several hours, but can’t spread in pools
Some children are “super hosts” — showing no itching at all!
It only takes 1 fertilised female louse to start a full infestation
🧠 Knowledge is power!
The more you know about the life cycle and habits of head lice, the better equipped you are to treat, prevent, and stay nit-free.