What do lice look like on hair without a microscope? - briefly
Adult head lice are about 2–3 mm long, grayish‑white, flattened, and have six legs ending in tiny claws that cling to hair shafts. Nymphs look alike but are smaller and lighter in color, making them more difficult to see.
What do lice look like on hair without a microscope? - in detail
Head lice are visible to the naked eye as small, elongated insects measuring approximately 2–3 mm in length. Their bodies are flattened laterally, giving a slightly oval appearance when viewed from above. The thorax is broader than the abdomen, and the abdomen tapers toward the rear. Color varies from pale gray to brown, often matching the host’s hair shade, which can make detection difficult. Legs are six in total, each ending in a claw that enables the louse to grasp hair shafts tightly; the claws are clearly visible as tiny hooks near the rear of the body.
Movement is rapid and erratic. Lice can crawl several centimeters per minute, often shifting from one hair strand to another. When disturbed, they may drop quickly to the ground, a behavior known as “jumping,” although they do not jump like fleas. Their speed and frequent repositioning create a characteristic “wiggling” sensation on the scalp.
Nits—lice eggs—appear as tiny, oval, whitish or yellowish capsules attached to the hair shaft about 1 mm from the scalp. They are firmly cemented, making them resistant to removal by simple brushing. Nits are smaller than the lice themselves, roughly 0.8 mm in length, and their shells are smooth and translucent, sometimes resembling dandruff but remaining fixed in place.
Key visual differences between lice and common scalp debris:
- Size: Lice are 2–3 mm; dandruff particles are less than 0.5 mm.
- Shape: Lice have a distinct body with a visible head and abdomen; dandruff is irregular and flaky.
- Movement: Lice move actively; dandruff remains stationary.
- Attachment: Lice cling to hair with claws; dandruff falls off easily.
- Color: Lice may appear gray‑brown; dandruff is typically white or yellowish.
When examining hair without magnification, use a bright light and a fine-tooth comb. Run the comb slowly from the scalp outward, inspecting each strand for the described characteristics. A magnifying glass (10×) can improve detection but is not required for basic identification.