As the holiday season approaches, many families begin making travel plans—visiting loved ones, staying in hotels or Airbnbs, and gathering in shared spaces. While you’re likely preparing for long drives, cold weather, and busy schedules, there’s one important health concern that often goes overlooked: lice prevention during travel.

One of the most common questions we hear this time of year is:
“Can my child get lice from where we’re staying?”
The short answer is: it’s unlikely, but possible. Here’s what you should know before your next trip.

How Lice Survive—and Spread

Head lice are small, parasitic insects that require a human host to survive. They cannot jump or fly. Instead, they spread through direct head-to-head contact and, less commonly, through shared personal items that come into contact with the hair and scalp.

Once off the scalp, lice typically die within 24 to 48 hours due to the lack of warmth and blood supply. Eggs (nits), however, cannot survive off the scalp and will not hatch without body heat. Under the right conditions, lice can survive just long enough on certain surfaces to potentially transfer to another person.

This is why lice transmission—though rare—can occur in shared environments, such as hotels, Airbnbs, or family homes, particularly during periods of frequent guest turnover or close personal interaction.

Where Travel-Related Lice Exposure Can Happen

While the majority of lice cases are passed through head-to-head contact, travel and holiday gatherings can create opportunities for indirect exposure, especially when:

• Bedding, pillows, or blankets are shared between guests
  
• Couch cushions or rugs are used for naps or sleeping
  
• Hats, scarves, hairbrushes, or headphones are borrowed or reused
  
• Children sleep close together or in the same bed during travel
  
• Items are not properly cleaned and/or dried with high heat that would normally kill lice between guests in rentals or hotels
  

Lice are not an indication of cleanliness. Even well-maintained, high-end rentals or hotel rooms can pose a small risk if lice were present within the past day or two and soft items weren’t sanitized properly.

We also recommend using tape rollers on furniture and pillows. This method can be more effective than vacuuming, as lice stick to the tape surface, and it allows you to see what you collect.

Situations That Increase Risk During Holiday Travel

Although the risk is generally low, the following situations raise the chances of lice exposure while traveling:

• Staying in homes where lice may have recently been present
  
• Sleeping arrangements that involve close proximity (e.g., family members or friends sharing a bed)
  
• Group sleepovers or shared accommodations with other families
  
• Using hotel or rental home items that were not laundered or dried on high heat between guests
  
• Using communal items like hair tools, hats, or pillows during the stay
  

These situations don’t guarantee transmission, but they increase the risk enough to warrant prevention measures.

How to Prevent Lice While Traveling

You can reduce the chance of lice exposure while traveling by taking a few simple, proactive steps:

• Pack and use your own pillows or pillowcases when possible.
  
• Avoid sharing personal items such as hats, brushes, or headphones.
  
• Tie long hair back to minimize hair-to-hair contact.
  
• Use a preventative lice spray on your child’s hair and belongings.
  
• Launder travel clothing and soft items in hot water, then dry on high heat for 20–30 minutes. Dryer heat is the key to killing lice and eggs.
  
• Conduct a head check before and after your trip.
  

These practices are especially important when staying in shared spaces or group environments.

What to Do if You Suspect Lice After Travel

If your child begins to show signs of lice after returning from a trip—or if you simply want peace of mind—it’s important to act quickly and accurately:

• Perform a head check under bright lighting using a fine-toothed lice comb.
  
• Look for small, oval-shaped nits firmly attached to the hair near the scalp.
  
• If you’re unsure what you’re seeing, schedule a professional screening.
  

At Lice Clinics 805, we provide fast, accurate screenings and safe, non-toxic treatment that kills both lice and eggs in a single treatment.

Prevention Kits for Travel

For families traveling over the holidays, we also offer Back-to-School Readiness Kits that double as a travel prevention solution. Each kit includes:

• Treatment oil
  
• Preventative spray
  
• Professional-grade lice comb
  
• Step-by-step instructions
  
• Optional consultation for proper at-home use
  

It’s an easy, affordable way to stay prepared—whether you’re going across town or across the country.

Visit Lice Clinics 805 Before or After Your Holiday Travel

Whether you’re heading out of town, welcoming family into your home, or just want to stay ahead of things this season, we’re here to help with quick screenings, proven one-treatment solutions, and prevention tools to help you navigate this season with confidence.

Lice Clinics 805
3875 Telegraph Road, Suite J, Ventura, CA 93003
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