How to tell if a louse has bitten you? - briefly
Small, red, itchy papules near the scalp or neck, often in clusters with a central puncture, indicate a louse bite; a mild burning or tingling sensation may accompany them. The marks typically appear as pinpoint spots that can become slightly swollen or inflamed.
How to tell if a louse has bitten you? - in detail
Louse bites appear as small, red papules, typically 1–3 mm in diameter. The lesions are often grouped in clusters, especially along the hairline, neck, shoulders, and upper back. Unlike mosquito bites, the rash does not develop a central punctum; instead, the skin may show a faint, raised halo.
Key characteristics:
- Location – concentrated where hair or fur contacts the skin.
- Pattern – multiple punctate spots, sometimes forming a line following hair growth.
- Timeline – itching begins within minutes to a few hours after exposure; redness may persist for 24–48 hours.
- Absence of swelling – little to no edema compared to other arthropod bites.
Additional clues:
- Presence of lice – live insects or nits (eggs) attached to hair shafts confirm infestation.
- Secondary irritation – scratching can cause excoriations, crusting, or secondary bacterial infection.
- Seasonality – higher incidence in warm, humid environments and during close‑contact events (e.g., school, camps).
Diagnostic steps:
- Inspect scalp and body hair under good lighting; look for live lice, adult forms, or translucent eggs cemented to strands.
- Examine the skin for the described papules, noting distribution and clustering.
- Compare with other bite patterns (e.g., flea bites are often on the lower legs; bed‑bug bites appear in a linear “breakfast‑lunch‑dinner” arrangement).
Management:
- Remove live insects and nits with a fine‑toothed comb.
- Apply topical insecticidal shampoos or lotions as directed.
- Use antihistamine creams or oral antihistamines to alleviate itching.
- Keep skin clean; apply antiseptic ointment if excoriations develop.
If lesions spread, become increasingly painful, or show signs of infection (pus, increased warmth, fever), seek medical evaluation.