like and what do their bites look like? - briefly
Lice bite by piercing the skin, producing tiny red punctures that can develop into itchy welts. These lesions usually appear near the hairline in small, clustered spots.
like and what do their bites look like? - in detail
Lice are tiny, wing‑less parasites that feed on human blood. Their feeding action produces a characteristic skin reaction that can be identified by several visual cues.
The bite mark typically appears as a small, red or pink papule. Each papule is raised slightly above the surrounding skin and may be surrounded by a faint halo of erythema. The lesions are usually 1–2 mm in diameter and may coalesce into clusters when multiple insects feed in close proximity. In the early stage, the spot may be almost invisible, becoming more noticeable after a few hours as the inflammatory response develops.
Key features of the reaction include:
- Location – head lice concentrate on the scalp, especially behind the ears and at the nape; body lice favor the waistline, hips, and areas where clothing is tight; pubic lice target the groin, thighs, and abdomen.
- Temporal pattern – itching intensifies several hours after the bite, reaching a peak after 12–24 hours, then gradually subsides.
- Secondary signs – scratching can lead to excoriation, crust formation, or secondary bacterial infection, which may present as yellowish discharge or increased warmth.
- Differential appearance – unlike mosquito bites, which often have a central punctum, lice bites lack a distinct puncture point and are more uniformly colored.
Microscopic examination of the affected hair shaft may reveal nits attached close to the scalp, confirming the presence of the parasite. Treatment strategies focus on eradicating the insects and managing the dermatologic response, thereby preventing further skin damage.