What do lice look like in children's hair? - briefly
Lice are tiny, wingless insects about 2–3 mm long, with a flattened gray‑brown body and six legs that grasp hair shafts. Their eggs, called nits, look like tiny, oval, whitish‑yellow shells glued tightly to each strand near the scalp.
What do lice look like in children's hair? - in detail
Head lice (Pediculus humanus capitis) are tiny, wing‑less insects that live on the scalp of children. Adults measure 2–4 mm in length, about the size of a sesame seed. Their bodies are flattened laterally, enabling them to move through hair strands easily. The exoskeleton is a pale grayish‑brown color, which may appear almost translucent when the insect is unfed. Six legs end in claw‑like tarsi that grip each hair shaft firmly; the claws are visible under magnification and give the insect a slightly spiny outline.
Nymphs, the immature stages, are proportionally smaller—about one‑half the size of adults—and share the same body shape and coloration, though they are often lighter and more translucent. All stages have a pair of antennae that are short and hidden beneath the head capsule, making them difficult to spot without close inspection.
Eggs, commonly called nits, are oval, about 0.8 mm long, and firmly attached to the hair shaft near the scalp. They have a smooth, glossy surface and are typically yellow‑white to light brown. The attachment point is a tiny, cement‑like glue that resists removal by combing. Nits are positioned within 1 cm of the scalp because the temperature there is required for hatching.
Key visual indicators include:
- Size: 2–4 mm for adults; 1–2 mm for nymphs.
- Color: Gray‑brown, often translucent; lighter in younger stages.
- Shape: Oval body with a broad head; six clawed legs clearly visible when magnified.
- Location: Primarily around the nape, behind the ears, and at the crown where hair is dense.
- Eggs: Small, oval, firmly glued to hair shafts, appearing as tiny, pale specks.
Movement is rapid; lice can crawl at up to 0.5 mm per second, causing a crawling sensation on the scalp. They do not jump or fly. When disturbed, they may drop onto the floor or onto clothing, but they quickly return to the hair.
Distinguishing lice from dandruff or debris relies on these characteristics: lice are three‑dimensional insects with legs and a body shape, while nits are immobile, attached eggs. Dandruff flakes are flat, easily brushed off, and lack a solid attachment point.