Pediculosis capitis^[1] (also known as Head lice infestation and Cooties^[1]) is a human medical condition caused by the colonization of the hair and skin by the parasitic insect Pediculus humanus capitis—the head louse^{[citation needed]}. Typically, only the head or scalp of the host is infested, although the disease can occur in other hairy parts of the body, like leg hairs^{[citation needed]}. Head lice feed on human blood (hematophagy), and itching from lice bites is a common symptom of this condition.^[2] Treatment typically includes application of topical insecticides such as a pyrethrin or permethrin, although a variety of folk remedies are also common.^[3]

Lice infestation in general is known as pediculosis, and occurs in many mammalian and bird species.^[4][5] The term pediculosis capitis, or simply "pediculosis", is sometimes used to refer to the specific human pediculosis due to P. humanus capitis (i.e., head-louse infestation)^{[citation needed]}. Humans are hosts for two other lice as well—the body lice and the crab lice^{[citation needed]}.

Head-lice infestation is widely endemic, especially in children. It is a cause of some concern in public health, although, unlike human body lice, head lice are not carriers of other infectious diseases.

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