How do lice traces look? - briefly
Lice leave fine, yellow‑brown specks of excrement on hair shafts and a gritty, itchy crust near the scalp, often accompanied by tiny, translucent nits attached at an angle to the hair. These signs appear as small, irregular dots or scales that can be brushed off onto a dark background for easier detection.
How do lice traces look? - in detail
Lice infestations reveal themselves through several distinct visual and tactile cues. The most reliable indicator is the presence of nits, the eggs attached firmly to hair shafts. Nits appear as tiny, oval structures measuring 0.8 mm in length. Freshly laid nits are translucent or pale yellow; as they mature, they become more opaque and take on a creamy white hue. They are positioned within a millimeter of the scalp, often at the base of the hair strand, and resist removal with a simple comb stroke.
Live lice are small, wingless insects ranging from 2 mm to 4 mm in length. Adult bodies are flattened and elongated, typically gray‑brown, with a darker head. Their legs are adapted for grasping hair, allowing rapid movement along the shaft. When disturbed, they may sprint quickly, making them visible for only brief moments. Nymphs, the immature stages, are proportionally smaller but share the same coloration and mobility.
The scalp itself provides additional evidence. Persistent itching, resulting from allergic reactions to lice saliva, leads to frequent scratching. This irritation can cause erythema, small red patches, and occasionally excoriations. In severe cases, secondary bacterial infection may produce pustules or crusted lesions.
Other observable signs include:
- Fine, white or yellowish specks resembling dandruff, which are actually detached nits.
- Hair breakage near the scalp, caused by repeated combing or the mechanical action of the insects.
- Presence of “cocoons” – clusters of nits bound together by a gelatinous secretion that appears as a small, sticky mass.
When any combination of these features is detected, a thorough inspection with a fine‑toothed lice comb under adequate lighting confirms the infestation. Prompt identification enables targeted treatment and prevents further spread.