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Head lice - Background information
What is head lice infestation?
- Head lice infestation (also known as pediculosis capitis) is the condition caused by the parasitic insect Pediculus capitis, which lives on, and among, the hair of the scalp and neck of humans [HPA, 2008].
- Live lice can be found anywhere on the scalp; the eggs are most commonly found behind the ears and at the back of the neck [HPA, 2008].
- The severity of infestation varies from a few lice to thousands of lice, but a typical infestation might have about 30 lice per head [Speare and Canyon, 2005].
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