Can fleas live in your hair?

Fleas can temporarily be in your hair but they do not live in your hair long term like head lice, because fleas are adapted to live on animals with fur such as dogs and cats and in environment like carpets and pet bedding, not on humans, and they only jump onto humans to feed on blood for short time then jump off. While a flea can jump into your hair and bite scalp, causing itchy bites, it will not stay, lay eggs, or establish infestation in hair because human hair is not ideal habitat and fleas prefer pets. However, if you have severe infestation at home, you may find fleas in hair after lying on infested bedding or carpets. Unlike lice which have claws adapted to cling to hair shafts and lay eggs called nits attached to hair, fleas have legs adapted for jumping and do not cling to hair. If you feel crawling in hair and suspect fleas, it is more likely fleas jumped onto you from environment rather than living there, and washing hair with regular shampoo will remove them, though flea bites on scalp can be itchy. To prevent fleas in hair, treat pets with flea preventative, wash bedding on high heat, vacuum thoroughly, and treat home. If you have persistent itchy scalp with nits attached to hair, it is more likely lice, not fleas, and you should see doctor for proper diagnosis and treatment, as flea and lice treatments differ.