Occupational settings are not the only place where transmission may occur. Prevention methods to avoid infection include proper handwashing, teaching children to cover their mouth when coughing, and disposal of tissues for respiratory secretions. Getting head lice is not as bad as you may think. It is not a sign of uncleanliness, or poor health habits. It is not limited to the poor, or to certain racial or ethnic groups.
Head lice can occur at any age, and to either sex.
So it's wise to learn how to recognize head lice infestation, how to treat it, and how to prevent it from coming back. These tiny insects live in human hair. They hatch from small eggs, called nits, which are attached to the base of individual hairs. The eggs hatch in about 10 days, with the new lice reaching maturity in about two weeks. The female louse can live for 20 to 30 days, and can lay as many as six eggs a day.