child sitting on airplane

Can You Get Head Lice from an Airplane?

With spring break just a few weeks away, many families are making plans that involve flying by plane. A common question we hear from families is whether or not they can get head lice from an airplane. After all, a lot of people are packed into a small space and sharing headrests, so it would make sense that head lice can travel this way, right? 

Experts say that while it’s rare to get head lice from a plane seat, it is possible. Being vigilant can help prevent the spread. If you do happen to catch head lice from a plane seat, you won’t know about it until several weeks later when itchy spots from the bites develop. 

With this in mind, if you’re on vacation and all of a sudden start itching your head, it’s either not head lice or you picked up lice from somewhere else, such as your child’s school or daycare. Let’s learn more about how head lice can spread on an airplane and what you can do to protect you and your family. 

Why It’s Possible to Get Head Lice from an Airplane 

Head lice can’t fly or jump. They’re wingless and spread by crawling onto a host and laying eggs. Here is an example of how this can happen on an airplane. 

Let’s say that a person who is infected with lice sits in the same seat you will soon sit in. They lie their head on the headrest and take a nap. During this time, a louse crawls onto the headrest and is capable of surviving up to 48 hours without a host. 

Now, the plane lets everyone off and your group starts boarding. If you sit in the seat where there’s a louse crawling around, it can be cross-transferred to you. To protect yourself from getting head lice, the best thing you can do is wipe down the headrest before sitting down. 

While airplanes are only deep cleaned about once a month, head lice can only survive one or two days without a host. So even if you happen to ride on a plane that hasn’t been cleaned, your risk of catching head lice is still very low. 

Tips for Avoiding Head Lice While Traveling 

To avoid head lice on an airplane or other types of public transportation, here are a few easy tips to follow.

  • Wipe down the headrest with a wipe. Many people wipe down their seats to prevent the spread of germs and bacteria, so you won’t look out of place! 
  • Wear the hair tied back. Long hair is flowy, so it’s easier for lice to grab onto it and climb onto the scalp. For those in the family with long hair, tie it back into a ponytail or braid. 
  • Use lice prevention products. Try My Mint Spray from My Hair Helpers. Just a few spritzes of our lice spray is all you need to deter lice from crawling onto your head. 
  • Keep heads away from others. Planes are tight, but try to keep your head away from other people, as this is how most cases of lice spread. You’d be surprised at how long hair can get around! 

Vacations are meant to be fun, so enjoy your spring break – lice shouldn’t stop you! But if you are concerned about picking up lice on an airplane or other type of public transportation, follow the tips above for safe travels! 

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FAQ's

WHAT ARE HEAD LICE?

Head lice are tiny six-legged insects that are blood-sucking parasites. They live on the scalp of humans. Head lice are the little and wingless insects with a size of sesame seeds that make their home on the human head and spread diseases by sucking the blood from the scalp. Infections and diseases caused by head lice are generally faced by on-going school students and their family members as the head of students come in contact with the head of other students. Contact My Hair Helpers to guaranteed head lice removal services. We are professional head lice removal experts known for our best service and customer support.

WHERE DO HEAD LICE COME FROM?

The evidence for head lice goes back many centuries. Lice was named as the third plague in the Old Testament of the Bible. The shell casings for lice have been found on Egyptian mummies. Live Lice on the head and their eggs can be killed by opting for different lice treatments that are available in different forms such as lotions, shampoos, and creams and these can be used at home without any hassle. It is necessary for the women who are pregnant or breastfeed their babies to take suggestions from a renowned doctor about the risk-free products.

HOW DO WE GET LICE?

In the majority of cases, head lice is passed with head to head contact. A smaller number of cases are passed through brushes and combs and sharing hats. Lice don’t like to leave their food supply unless a warm head is waiting for them.

DOES GETTING HEAD LICE MEAN I’M DIRTY?

Head lice actually prefer clean hair! It’s more difficult for them to lay eggs on greasy or dirty hair.