Lice feed on human blood. They use their sharp mouthparts to pierce the skin and suck blood. Each louse can feed several times a day and can consume up to 0.5 milliliters of blood per day. This can cause anemia, especially in children and people with other health conditions.
Mode of Feeding
Lice spend most of their time attached to the scalp. They use their claws to grasp the hair shaft and hold on tightly. When they feed, they insert their mouthparts into the skin and start sucking blood. The saliva of lice contains an anticoagulant that prevents the blood from clotting. This allows them to feed for a longer period of time.
Lice can also transmit diseases. They can spread typhus, relapsing fever, trench fever, and other diseases. These diseases are more common in areas where lice infestations are common.