#lice

[adajimasemifrequently]

Adachi’s headlice adventure

[citybythesea1-blog]

One time, I had like 40 rotten apples at the bottom of my locker. Interestingly, after that year, I never got a locker with a door again. Instead, I got a cubby that was shared, so I got lice.

[incognitopolls]

Have you ever had head lice?

Yes, once

Yes, multiple times

No

Not sure/I don't remember

Voting ended onApr 12, 2025

We ask your questions anonymously so you don’t have to! Submissions are open on the 1st and 15th of the month.

[uncharismatic-fauna]

Around the House with the Human Louse

The human louse (Pediculus humanus) is a species of louse found worldwide. As parasites, they exclusively inhabit the hair of humans (Homo sapiens). The species is divided into two subspecies based on the part of the body in which they specialize; Pediculus humanus capitis, aka head lice, arefound on the head, while Pediculus humanus humanus, or cooties, only parasitize the body. Both species may also be found on human clothing, although P. h. humanus is more common than their head-exclusive counterpart.

Both subspecies are characterised by a small head, a bulbous abdomen, and legs which end in sharp claws suitable for clinging to hair. They are generally grey or pale yellow in color, although their abdomens may turn red when they feed. Head lice are usually smaller than body lice; the former only reaches 1-2 mm (0.03-0.07 in) in length, while the latter can reach up to 3.5 mm (0.13 in). In both species, the males are slightly smaller and have a more pointed abdomen and longer forelimbs.

Human lice feed exclusively on the blood of humans. Adults have specialized mouthparts which enable them to pierce the skin and draw blood. Individuals must feed at least once every other day, or starve to death. Because of their host specialization, P. humanus have no natural predators, although they are frequently removed by their hosts via natural and chemical means.

P. humanus have an extremely rapid reproductive cycle. After mating, females use a keritan-based glue to attach attach a number of eggs to their hosts' hair; head lice can lay 4-6 eggs a day for a total of 150 eggs over her lifetime, while cooties can lay up to 10 eggs a day adding up to 300 eggs over her life. The eggs, or 'nits', of both species hatch within a week, and immediately begin feeding on their host. Nymphs molt three times and reach full maturity within 2-3 weeks. Males die soon after mating, and females die within a month of their final molt.

Conservation status: P. humanus has not been evaluated by the IUCN. They are an extremely widespread species, and considered pests throughout their range.

Photos

Mohammed El Damir

CSIRO

Gilles San Martin

[anomalous-mob]

wait omg someone needs to make art of life sized sodapack it would be so so cute. Pleaseee I want Liam as an actual school backpack and Bryce as an actual soda bottle. do you think Bryce would fit inside his storage…..

[cosmikirby]

Sodapacks...

[i-still-mask-because]

"I don't wear a mask because the CDC said the pandemic is over."

"The CDC said all I have to do is wash my hands."

"If covid were that bad the CDC would have told us and enforced more rules."

Yeah... the CDC just said kids don't have to go home early anymore if they have lice, so... I dunno about you but that doesn't sound very trustworthy :/

"The burden of missing school days due to nits far outweighs the minimal risk of transmission, especially when the lice have been treated."

This decision toooootally doesn't seem politically and economically motivated at all. /s

[mimsymars]

Jen is a conspiracy theorist, but who isn’t in this economy?