Head lice are concern enough without having to worry about getting sick. Many have heard horror stories of those with head lice contracting infections and falling ill. The truth is head lice do not carry disease. Head lice cannot make you sick, but there is another way you can fall ill as a result of head lice.
Can Head Lice Make You Sick?
As we mentioned above, head lice themselves do not carry disease. If you find yourself sick after having head lice it is likely the result of a skin infection. Excessive scratching can lead to sores on your head that can become infected from bacteria. This is a very rare occurrence but should be taken seriously. If an infection occurs, you should seek medical attention from a professional. While they can be easily treated, you should never let an infection go too long without proper medical attention.
How to Prevent Infection
Treating head lice quickly and effectively can help prevent and eliminate scratching. Performing frequent head checks during times of outbreaks or close contact can help catch infestations early on. The sooner an infestation is caught and treated the less a chance of extreme itching. Lice professionals can treat infestations properly. Over the counter and DIY treatments leave behind nits and super lice prolonging the infestation. At Lice Clinics Arizona, we use our signature treatment to kill nits and lice, including super lice.
Don’t worry about head lice or skin infections, let the experts at Lice Clinics Arizona treat your lice quickly and effectively.
Frequently asked questions
Can pets like dogs and cats give you head lice?+
No. Human head lice only live on humans, and pet lice only live on their animal hosts, so dogs and cats cannot give or catch human lice. If your family has lice, focus on people, not pets, and get whole-family checks at Lice Clinics Arizona.
Lice myths & facts →Can you get lice from a swimming pool?+
It is very unlikely. Lice grip the hair tightly and do not let go underwater, and pool chlorine does not kill them or wash them loose. The real risk at a pool is head-to-head contact or sharing towels, brushes, and goggles, not the water itself.
Unexpected ways lice spread →Can lice live on pillows, furniture, and car seats?+
Only briefly. Away from a human scalp, lice starve and die within 24 to 48 hours, and nits rarely hatch off the head. So pillows, couches, and car seats are low-risk, and you do not need to tear apart your home. A quick vacuum and hot-dryer cycle is plenty.
Lice on furniture →Can you have lice without itching?+
Yes. Many people carry lice for weeks with no itch, because itching is an allergic reaction that takes time to develop and some people never react. That is why lice often spread before anyone notices. Regular family checks and a quick screening at Lice Clinics Arizona catch silent cases early.
Signs & symptoms of lice →