The oldest physical evidence of head lice on a human was a nit found on the hair of a 10,000-year-old body at an archeological site in Brazil. Lice combs have been found in the tombs of Egyptian royalty, and even Cleopatra was said to have solid gold lice combs buried with her.
The most likely explanation is that by the time H. sapiens evolved in Africa about 200,000 years ago we had our own lineage of head lice, and then picked up more from H. erectus on our travels, says Reed. The study is reported in the current issue of PLoS Biology1.
Human evolution and lice
Beginning somewhere around 13 million years ago, specific species began to evolve to affect only humans. About 42,000 to 72,000 years ago, human lice separated into head and body lice.
It's less common for head lice to spread without direct contact. But the insects may spread from one person to another through personal items, such as: Hats and scarves. Brushes and combs.
Adult lice can live up to 30 days on a person's head. To live, adult lice need to feed on blood several times daily. Without blood meals, the louse will die within 1 to 2 days off the host.
Medieval folklore suggests that lard was used to try and suffocate lice and nits off of a scalp. Others propose simply keeping the hair combed through and clean was of so little a priority that no one even bothered with lice.
In the middle ages, humans couldn't get away from lice. They were an unavoidable part of their life and lice didn't discriminate; they infected all parts of society from serfs to royals. People in the Middle Ages took lice to their grave as well.
The research suggested that we've carried our lice for millions of years, since before the time of our common ancestor with chimpanzees.
In the United States, infestation with head lice (Pediculus humanus capitis) is most common among preschool- and elementary school-age children and their household members and caretakers.
It is unclear whether or not any of these concoctions actually worked or not, but they certainly sound interesting. In the 1700s, humans' dealings with lice inspired a trend of wearing perukes, also called powdered wigs. For the perukes to fit the right way, the head had to be shaved.
Parasites such as lice have a role in the conditioning of a 'natural' immune system and reducing the likelihood of immune dysfunctions, a study of mice from a Nottinghamshire forest indicates.
The ancients managed their lice by suffering through them, combing them out, affectionately picking them off each other's heads, dousing them in oil, or simply shaving. (Thus the wigs.)
The British also developed a combination of naphthalene, creosote, and iodoform made into a paste which could be applied to the seams of uniforms with a good result of eliminating lice in just a few hours.
There are recent studies that show that treatment of lice with heat can be quite effective in killing head lice. Products such as Lousebuster are very effective but even a home hairdryer can successfully treat lice.
If you've ever wondered whether dogs can get lice, the answer is yes. Although lice infestations are uncommon and not diagnosed often in dogs, like any pest, they can be a nuisance for your pet. Here's what you need to know about lice infestations on dogs.
Shaving Will Not Get Rid of Lice.
The reason shaving will not work is because lice live on the base of the hair, and on the scalp. The nits are laid right at the base of the hair oftentimes against the scalp. Shaving will not get close enough to make an impact on the lice and nits.
Soldiers used condoms to protect their “other weapons” by covering the muzzles of their gun to prevent mud and other material from clogging the barrel.
Within a few minutes, the Olive Oil cuts off the oxygen and the lice start to move. If you wash the Olive Oil off too soon they will come back to life. It takes 6-8 hours for the head lice to die.
After Treating with Lice Medicine
If some are still present but moving slowly, do not shampoo again. If lice are still active and no dead lice are found, call your health care provider. These lice may be resistant to the medicine.
Using apple cider vinegar for lice
Anecdotal reports suggest apple cider vinegar is effective for treating and preventing head lice. However, research is lacking and not supportive.
Because the active ingredients have remained the same all these years, new generations of head lice have become immune to them. Once lice become immune, the product no longer works. Scientists call this resistance.
Introduce natural predators (Ladybugs)
Ladybugs can eat 100 lice a day!
Head lice can't fly, hop, or swim. However, lice that are in water like in a bathtub or swimming pool are still tightly attached to the hair, and can survive underwater for up to eight hours. If the insects fall off their host into the water, they'll die because they become separated from their food source.
You Have to Treat Them
Head lice will not go away on their own. If you think your child has an infestation, there are several steps you should take right away. Call your doctor to confirm the diagnosis. Notify your child's day care or school so other students can be checked.