How do lice look on the skin? - briefly
Lice are tiny, wing‑less insects about 2–4 mm long, with a flattened, elongated body that ranges from light gray to brown and six visible legs. They appear as moving specks on the scalp or as attached, oval, whitish nits clinging to hair shafts.
How do lice look on the skin? - in detail
Lice visible on the human integument are small, wing‑less insects measuring 2–4 mm in length. Their bodies are flattened laterally, facilitating movement through hair shafts. The exoskeleton exhibits a pale‑to‑light brown hue, often with a translucent quality that allows underlying skin tones to influence perceived color. Antennae are short, segmented, and typically hidden beneath the head capsule. Legs end in clawed tarsi, each bearing three claws that grasp hair strands securely.
Nymphal stages resemble adults but are proportionally smaller (1–2 mm) and lighter in color, ranging from almost transparent to faint yellow. These immature forms lack fully developed reproductive organs and molt three times before reaching maturity. Their visual profile is less distinct, requiring close inspection or magnification to differentiate from adult specimens.
Eggs, commonly called nits, appear as oval, whitish‑gray ovals attached firmly to the hair shaft near the scalp. The shell is smooth and slightly curved, measuring about 0.8 mm in length. Nits are oriented at an angle of 30–45° relative to the hair, making them appear as tiny beads embedded in the filament.
When observed without magnification, lice may be mistaken for dandruff or skin debris. Key visual indicators include:
- Mobile, elongated bodies moving rapidly along hair shafts.
- Visible head and thorax segmentation, especially when the insect pauses.
- Presence of small, translucent nymphs near adult specimens.
- Clusters of firmly attached, egg‑shaped nits close to the scalp surface.
Under a handheld magnifier (10–20×), the following details become apparent:
- Distinct segmentation of the abdomen into ten visible plates.
- Fine setae (hair‑like structures) covering the dorsal surface.
- Clear articulation of the three pairs of legs and their clawed tips.
- The precise angle and firm attachment of nits to the hair cuticle.
The combination of size, coloration, body shape, and the characteristic placement of eggs provides a reliable visual profile for identifying lice on the skin.