What do lice look like in hair on the head? - briefly
Lice are small, wing‑less insects about 2–4 mm long, with a flattened, oval body that is gray‑brown to tan and covered in fine hairs. They cling tightly to hair shafts, appearing as moving specks or as nits—tiny, white, oval eggs attached near the scalp.
What do lice look like in hair on the head? - in detail
Head lice are tiny, wing‑less insects that live on the scalp. An adult measures 2–3 mm in length, about the size of a sesame seed. Their bodies are elongated and slightly flattened, allowing them to move easily through hair shafts. The exoskeleton is a pale gray‑brown color, often appearing almost translucent when the insect is unfed; after a blood meal the body darkens to a reddish‑brown hue.
Key visual features of an adult:
- Three pairs of legs, each ending in claw‑like tarsal hooks that grasp hair strands.
- Six tiny eyes positioned on the sides of the head, visible only under magnification.
- A short, blunt abdomen that tapers toward the rear.
- No wings or external antennae; the antennae are short and hidden beneath the head capsule.
Nymphs, the immature stages, resemble adults but are smaller (1–2 mm) and lighter in color, often appearing almost invisible against hair. They molt three times before reaching adulthood, each molt adding a faint darkening of the body.
Nits, the eggs laid by adult females, are oval, 0.8 mm long, and firmly attached to the hair shaft about 1 cm from the scalp. Their shells are glossy and can be white, yellowish, or brown, depending on age. Unlike dandruff, nits are cemented at an angle, making them difficult to slide off the hair.
When inspecting a scalp, look for:
- Live insects moving quickly across the hair shaft or crawling toward the skin.
- Small, translucent bodies that may be mistaken for debris.
- Clusters of nits attached at a uniform angle near the root.
- Red, irritated spots where lice have bitten.
A handheld magnifying lens (10×) or a fine‑toothed comb can reveal these characteristics clearly, facilitating accurate identification.