How do head lice spread from person to person?

Dr Sarah Jarvis MBE

Close hair-to-hair contact is usually needed to pass lice on. Head lice cannot jump or fly but walk from one head to another. They soon die when away from hair and they do not live for long in clothes, bedding, etc. However, they can occasionally be passed by sharing items such as brushes, combs, hats or bedding.

For more information on head lice and nits, go to /health/head-lice-and-nits