Lice vs. Louse — What's the Difference?

Cause itching and discomfort through their bites.

Capable of laying eggs, leading to an infestation.

Small, wingless parasites that infest mammals and birds.

A singular term for one of the small, wingless insects parasitizing mammals and birds.

Treated with medicated shampoos and combs.

Removal often involves fine-toothed combs.

Plural of louse.

Either of two small wingless parasitic insects that live on the skin of mammals and birds.

A contemptible or unpleasant person.

Spoil or ruin something

Remove lice from.

Pl. lice (līs) Any of numerous small, flat-bodied, wingless biting or sucking insects of the order Phthiraptera, which live as external parasites on birds and mammals, including humans. The lice are sometimes classified together with the psocids in the order Psocodea.

Pl. lous·es (lousĭz) Slang A mean or despicable person.

To bungle. Often used with up

A small parasitic wingless insect of the order Psocodea.

A contemptible person; one who is deceitful or causes harm.

To remove lice from; to delouse.

Any one of numerous species of small, wingless, suctorial, parasitic insects belonging to a tribe (Pediculina), now usually regarded as degraded Hemiptera. To this group belong of the lice of man and other mammals; as, the head louse of man (Pediculus capitis), the body louse (Pediculus vestimenti), and the crab louse (Phthirius pubis), and many others. See Crab louse, Dog louse, Cattle louse, etc., under Crab, Dog, etc.

Any one of numerous small mandibulate insects, mostly parasitic on birds, and feeding on the feathers. They are known as Mallophaga, or bird lice, though some occur on the hair of mammals. They are usually regarded as degraded Pseudoneuroptera. See Mallophaga.

Any one of the numerous species of aphids, or plant lice. See Aphid.

Any small crustacean parasitic on fishes. See Branchiura, and Ichthvophthira.

To clean from lice.

A person who has a nasty or unethical character undeserving of respect

Any of several small insects especially aphids that feed by sucking the juices from plants

Wingless insect with mouth parts adapted for biting; mostly parasitic on birds

Lice cause itching and discomfort, and visible nits or lice may be seen in the hair.

Lice thrive in environments where there is close human contact, such as schools and family homes.

Yes, a single louse can start an infestation if it is a female capable of laying eggs.

Treating a lice infestation involves using medicated shampoos, creams, and combing out nits and lice from the hair.

Preventing lice involves avoiding sharing personal items and close contact with someone who has an infestation.

A single louse can often be removed with a nit comb or by hand if detected early.

Lice are spread through direct contact with an infested person's hair or personal items like hats and brushes.

No, lice are the live insects, while nits are their eggs attached to hair strands.

Head lice live in the hair on the head, while body lice live in clothing and only move to the skin to feed.

Yes, pets can get their own species-specific lice but cannot transfer them to humans.

Treating lice early prevents the spread and growth of the infestation, reducing discomfort and the risk of skin infections.

Lice can survive for up to 48 hours off the human body, making it possible to spread through contaminated items.

No, lice cannot jump or fly; they spread only through direct contact.