What do fleas on a child's head look like? - briefly
Fleas are tiny, dark brown insects about 1–3 mm long, with laterally flattened bodies and strong hind legs for jumping. They appear as small moving specks among hair shafts, often mistaken for lint.
What do fleas on a child's head look like? - in detail
Fleas that infest a toddler’s scalp are minute, wing‑less insects measuring 1.5–3 mm in length. Their bodies are laterally flattened, facilitating movement through hair. The exoskeleton is a dark brown to reddish‑black hue, often appearing glossy under light. Antennae are short, segmented, and barely visible without magnification. Legs are long relative to body size, ending in tiny claws that grasp individual hair shafts.
The adult flea’s abdomen is convex, expanding after a blood meal, which can cause a temporary darkening of the insect’s outline. Eggs are oval, 0.5 mm long, smooth, and translucent; they are deposited on the scalp and may fall onto bedding. Larvae are legless, white‑cream, and C‑shaped, resembling small worms; they feed on organic debris rather than blood. Pupae develop within silken cocoons attached to hair or clothing.
Observable signs include:
- Small, moving specks that dart quickly when the child’s head is disturbed.
- Frequent scratching accompanied by red, irritated spots on the scalp.
- Presence of tiny black specks (feces) on hair shafts or clothing.
- Occasional sighting of egg clusters near the hairline.
Fleas differ from head lice in several respects. Lice are larger (2–4 mm), flatter, and have a more uniform grayish‑white color. Fleas jump; lice crawl. Flea bites manifest as tiny, punctate welts that may develop into itchy papules, while lice bites are typically confined to the nape and behind the ears.
Diagnosis relies on visual identification using a fine‑toothed comb or a magnifying lens. Effective treatment involves immediate removal of insects, thorough washing of bedding at ≥60 °C, and application of veterinary‑approved topical agents under medical supervision. Continuous monitoring for at least two weeks prevents re‑infestation, as flea life cycles can extend up to three weeks.