Lice Health Center

Direct contact with a person already infested with lice is the most common way to get head lice. This is common for children during play at school and at home.

Although not as common, sharing clothing or belongings can also cause the spreading of head lice. Crawling lice or nits can get on shared clothing or belongings.

If you have head lice you should not:

• share clothing (hats, scarves, coats, sports uniforms) or articles (hair ribbons, barrettes, combs, brushes, towels, stuffed animals) recently worn or used by a person infested with lice;
• or lie on any type of bedding (bed, couch, pillow, or carpet) that has recently been in contact with an infested person.

Pets, including cats and dogs, do not play a role in the spread of head lice.