What do lice bites look like? - briefly
Lice bites present as tiny, red, itchy bumps, typically grouped on the scalp, neck, and behind the ears. The spots may have a tiny central puncture and can become slightly raised or surrounded by a faint halo of redness.
What do lice bites look like? - in detail
Lice bites appear as tiny, raised spots on the skin, typically measuring 1–2 mm in diameter. The lesions are usually pinkish‑red and may develop a central punctum where the insect’s mouthparts penetrated. Itching is a prominent symptom, often intensifying several hours after the bite. In many cases several bites cluster together, forming a line or a small patch, especially on the scalp, neck, behind the ears, and the upper shoulders.
Key visual features include:
- Small, dome‑shaped papules with a uniform red hue
- A faint, sometimes visible, central dot or tiny ulceration
- Mild swelling that may spread a few millimeters beyond the bite site
- Absence of a clear halo; surrounding skin remains normal in color
The reaction timeline generally follows this pattern:
- Day 0–1: Bite site may be barely noticeable, with slight redness.
- Day 1–3: Redness intensifies, papule becomes more raised, itching peaks.
- Day 4–7: Lesion may flatten, color fades to pink, itching diminishes.
- Beyond 7 days: Residual hyperpigmentation can persist for weeks if the skin is irritated or scratched.
Differentiating lice bites from other arthropod bites involves considering location and pattern. Lice tend to bite in the hair‑covered regions of the head and neck, whereas mosquito or flea bites are more common on exposed limbs. The presence of lice eggs (nits) attached to hair shafts further confirms infestation.
Secondary signs of infection, such as increased warmth, pus, or spreading redness, indicate bacterial involvement and require medical attention. Otherwise, the bites resolve spontaneously as the infestation is treated and the immune response subsides.