There are over 3000 types of lice, the most notable of which are head lice and pubic lice. Lice are tiny wingless insects that feed on blood. They infest areas of the body with hair. They are spread through contact with infected individuals via close contact, sharing clothing such as hats, and sharing hairbrushes. Pubic lice can be spread through towels and sexual intercourse. The symptoms of being infected with lice are intense itching of haired areas and small red bumps which may become infected. There may be visual cues to the presence of lice, such as tiny white eggs attached to the hair. Treatment of lice involves medicated shampoo and specialized combs that remove the dead lice. Head lice is most often found in children as it is easily passed through the school setting.
