What does a louse on the forehead look like? - briefly
A louse on the forehead appears as a tiny, gray‑brown, wingless insect about 2–4 mm long, with a flattened body and six legs that cling to hair shafts. It is often visible as a small, moving speck moving quickly among the hair.
What does a louse on the forehead look like? - in detail
A head louse on the forehead measures 2–4 mm in length, roughly the size of a sesame seed. The body is flattened laterally, facilitating movement through hair shafts. Color ranges from gray‑white to light brown, often appearing translucent when the insect is unfed. The head is small and rounded, bearing a pair of antennae about 0.5 mm long, each tipped with a sensory organ. Six legs emerge from the thorax; the front pair are adapted for grasping hair, ending in claw‑like claws that lock onto individual strands. The remaining legs are shorter, used for locomotion across the skin’s surface.
When attached to the skin, the louse’s ventral surface contacts the scalp, leaving a faint, pale outline that may be visible against the forehead’s skin tone. The abdomen is segmented, with visible dorsal plates that may show tiny, dark specks corresponding to the insect’s internal organs. Movement is rapid and erratic; the louse can change direction within seconds, often appearing as a brief, dark dot that darts across the skin.
Key visual indicators include:
- Small, oval silhouette that blends with hair color.
- Translucent body revealing internal structures under close inspection.
- Pair of short antennae and six legs, with the front pair showing distinct claws.
- Slightly raised, pale area where the louse’s ventral side contacts the skin.
These characteristics enable precise identification of a louse situated on the forehead.