Head lice are tiny wingless insects.
Head lice live in the hair and bite the scalp to suck blood.
They attach their eggs, called nits, to the hair. The eggs then hatch in 8 to 10 days, producing more lice. It is very common for schoolchildren to have head lice. You can get lice by coming into contact with living lice or their eggs. For example, sharing personal items such as a comb or hat is a way you can get lice.