Head lice are spread from people who have head lice. Direct, head-to-head contact with an infested person is the most common way head lice are spread. Head lice also may be transmitted by sharing infested items. Such articles commonly implicated in the spread of head lice include hair-care items and accessories such as combs, hairbrushes, headbands, ribbons, barrettes, hair rollers, wigs, etc.; head gear such as helmets, headsets, ear phones, etc.; clothing items, including hats, caps, scarves, sweaters, costumes, etc.; and sleep items such as pillows, bed linen, stuffed animals, etc.
Lice can be transferred from coats, sweaters, scarves, hats, etc. contacting each other in cloakrooms, closets, and lockers. Placing your head where someone with head lice has recently laid theirs, such as on a couch, rug, mattress, bus seat, airplane seat, car seat, etc. also can result in the spread of head lice.