Head lice are one of the few annoying bugs that people encounter in certain conditions. Usually, people will get this insect on their heads when they do not keep their heads clean with shampoo. Normally, if you get this insect on your head, shampoo is enough to kill them. But, unfortunately, sometimes cleaning your head is not enough. You surely need to watch with whom you share the bed or spend the time.
Sometimes, you can get head lice from your friends that in this case, the head lice crawl from one head to another head. It usually happens when you have close contact with your friend, son, husband, or wife. Those are your closest circle, right? That’s why you need to keep all the things clean, including your surrounding.
In another case, sometimes people are confused with cockroaches. Well, the head lice are the bugs that look like cockroaches because the roaches’ nymphs do look similar to adult head lice. However, those who completely have experience with roaches know that these bugs actually share both similarities and differences. So, let’s discuss.
Short Description of Head Lice
Based on this article, head lice (Pediculus humanus capitis) are parasites that live on the human scalp and feed on human blood. Head lice cannot jump or fly, they can only move by crawling. Head lice are flat and measure 2 to 3 mm, or about the size of a sesame seed. Head lice do not undergo metamorphosis. The life cycle of head lice starts from eggs, then undergoes 3 stages of young insects that resemble their parents or nymphs, and becomes adult lice.
Head lice attach their eggs to the base of the hair so that it is a bit difficult to see. Lice eggs contain a type of adhesive so they can stick to the scalp firmly. Even after birth, these nits will remain on the head. Here are some precautions to avoid head lice:
- Diligently shampoo and clean the scalp
- Do not make direct contact with people who have head lice
- Don’t share combs, towels, hats, pillows, and the like
The Similarity Between Head Lice and Cockroach
The thing that underlies the similarities between head lice and cockroaches is that they come from the same Phylum and Class, namely Arthropods and Insects. Head lice and cockroaches have flat bodies. Like the Arthropods in general, head lice and cockroaches have an exoskeleton or shell made of chitin.
Head lice and cockroaches can be classified as parasites because they are harmful to humans. Bites of head lice and cockroaches can cause allergic reactions. This allergic reaction usually takes the form of itching. However, if left unchecked and scratched continuously infection will occur.
On the other side, head lice and cockroaches can be found everywhere. So, actually, they can reach you anywhere and anytime. Unfortunately, head lice and cockroaches stay in damp and dirty areas, so we must keep our bodies and living areas clean. That’s important to stay safe from diseases.
The Difference Between Head Lice and Cockroach
There are some differences between roaches and head lice. Well, it is not only about the shape, appearance, and size but also other aspects. Well, let’s discuss this topic in the following explanation below.
First, head lice are much smaller than cockroaches. Here, cockroaches measure 2-3 cm, which is 10x larger than head lice. Cockroach bites cause allergies because their skeleton contains allergens, while head lice bite cause allergies because the allergen is in the form of saliva.
Second, head lice bite humans to survive, if they do not bite and suck blood, the head lice will die. In contrast to cockroaches, which bite humans because they find food debris attached to the body. Unlike head lice, cockroaches do not suck blood.
Third, cockroaches have different species depending on the region (America, Germany, tree cockroaches, etc.), while the division of head lice species is divided based on the area it infests, such as head lice, pubic lice, and others. But, surely, they are similar.
At the last, head lice cannot survive more than 2 days if they fall from a person’s head. While cockroaches can live without a head for approximately 9 days. In addition, cockroaches can be eradicated using pesticides, while head lice can be eradicated by using lice medication that is applied to the scalp.
To be concluded, cockroaches can be found in damp, warm, and dirty places. While head lice are found on the dirty scalp. As long as these conditions are met, head lice and cockroaches can live. Head lice must stick to the scalp to stay alive. Head lice move by crawling, unable to jump and fly. So that head lice are often found in children, because there is often direct contact, the use of combs, hats, and towels together.