Another myth is that lice is a problem of hygiene. Wrong, lice actually prefer clean heads because dirt and grease interfere with their feeding habits. Admittedly, poor hygiene will allow an infestation to last longer that is necessary. Head lice can be treated with a variety of pesticide medications both at the pharmacy and by prescription. But any treatment must also kill the louse's eggs which are called nits.
Nits are oval eggs that are cream-colored and are roughly the size of a pin.
They are laid on individual hairs and must be removed or they will hatch into new lice, causing more problems. So you see, cooties and the grade school games surrounding them are just a parent's way of protecting a child from serious health problem. I think I'll go get my cootie shot right now.