Can Adults Get Head Lice?

For many families with young children, head lice can be a common issue as it is highly contagious and epidemics occur in schools, day-cares and nurseries. One popular myth about lice is that only children can get it. While it is more common for children to become infested, it is possible for adults to also get head lice.

How do you get lice as an adult?

Any person with hair can get lice, so it is possible to become infested even if you are not around children. However, it is much less common for adults who do not frequently spend time with children to have lice. 

While uncommon, adults with head lice may have picked them up from traveling from air travel or public transportation. If you are sitting next to someone who has lice, it is best to avoid any sort of head-to-head contact. Crowded areas where there may be hair-to-hair contact put adults at risk of contracting lice, which is why catching lice is more common with children who spend more time in close quarters than adults.

How do I know if I have head lice?

Since head lice hide in the hair and are very small, it might not always be obvious that you have them. However, you may be able to spot nits or by finding lice bites on your scalp. 

Children and adults with head lice may experience:

1. Intense itching on the scalp

2. Tickling feeling from movement of lice in the hair

3. Visible lice on your scalp

4. Presence of nits around the ears and base of the scalp near your neck

5. Sores on scalp, neck and shoulders

It is important to seek help from a lice specialist if you experience these symptoms.

Do you have lice? Book an appointment at LCA Upper State SC today!

If you or someone in your home has lice, it is important to seek out safe and effective treatment. Lice Clinics of America have convenient locations in Greenville, Anderson, and Spartanburg  SC, where we allow patients to experience effective treatment and care, getting them back to their normal routine. Our advanced lice technology allows you or your children to leave lice-free in one hour. To learn more about our services and why we are the largest professional lice treatment network, contact us today!