Lice Directory

Lice are tiny, wingless parasites that feed on blood. Head lice infect the hair and scalp. Lice are very contagious. The infection most often spreads among school-age kids. You can get head lice if you share pillows, brushes, hats, or other items that have touched the head of someone with lice. Sometimes, lice infect the hair in the groin area. Such pubic lice are most often sexually transmitted. Lice symptoms include small red bumps on the head, shoulders, neck, or pubic area; frequent itching; and oval-shaped white or clear specks that stick to the hair. These specks are lice eggs (nits). Follow the links below to find WebMD's comprehensive coverage about lice, including what they look like, how to treat them, and much more.