Explore head lice pictures in this article. What do head lice look like? Head lice are generally very tiny and not easy to spot. However, through keen observation you can actually see lice eggs (nits), and their poop on hair. This article will therefore examine the images for head lice eggs, poop and bites on victims’ hair and scalp.
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Head Lice Feces (Droppings) Photos
Believe it or not, head lice poops in your hair and scalps. The lice feces in the hair can cause itching to your head. It is vital to keenly watch out for lice in your head because itching is usually the first sign of a louse visit. You should check for a lice droppings to be sure of their infestation.
In extreme case of head lice infestation, you could possibly notice rashes, lumps and bumps especially at the back of your neck and areas around the ear.
These are the focus areas because they tend to be warmer than the rest of the head. they therefore offer the best and conducive thriving ground for head lice.
The thought of head lice feces in the hair is very upsetting for many, but lice themselves do not pose a great threat to the host – contrary to common beliefs. In fact, infestation by head lice is not a sign of uncleanliness!
The fact that head lice do not cause or spread any diseases is a relief to many, but their continuing resistance to most over the counter medication due over use is worrying.
What does Head Lice Look Like?
Knowing how head lice looks like can help to spot them in the hair early enough and prevent them from spreading to the rest of the household members.Therefore, In this section I will try and describe how a head louse looks like.
Several pictures of nits, nymphs and mature adult head lice can provide a glimpse of how this tiny, embarrassing and stubborn creatures looks like in terms of size and color among other physical features.
A newly hatched nymph is usually grayish white or tan in color and changes to brownish dark color as it grows into an adult lice. As shown in these pictures, the color of an adult lice varies from gray to dark brown color.
In terms of actual size, a mature head lice is about 2-3 millimeters or sesame seed size. This parasite has six legs and you can also notice from the pictures that a mature female head lice is slightly larger in size than a mature male head lice.
The humanus claws are also visible in these pictures- these claws help these creature to hold onto the hair and move around in the hair. A closer look at an adult head louse, you are likely to notice an abdomen filled with red blood it feeds on.
Head Lice Eggs Pictures
Head lice eggs can be found on hair strands. Most of the pictures are taken using high resolution cameras.
Head lice dead Eggs Images
Live nits are usually located on the hair shafts, just a few distance from the scalp- usually a quarter an inch or less than one centimeter from the scalp.
Dead or nonviable head lice eggs are located further away from the scalp – there is no need bothering to remove them from your hair because they cannot hatch.
Head lice dead eggs pictures can be obtained after treatment with RID lice and comb out gel. A dead nit is whitish in color, but has a small brownish shade towards one far end.
You should also note that an empty nit casing (egg shell) is white in color and tends to move farther away from the scalp.
What color are lice eggs?
Lice eggs are generally of pale color ranging from greyish to yellowish to tan. These light colors are what make them easy to spot even in the dark regardless of the hair color.
What color are dead lice eggs?
As indicated earlier, dead lice eggs are white in color, but they tend to have brownish coloring toward one of the two ends. These are also easy to spot because of the general whitish appearance on the hair.
Head Lice Larvae Pictures
Young head lice of nymphs are usually clear or light in color after hatching, but they change color to graying, brownish and become dark as they mature into an adult lice. Head lice center provides a description on what do head lice eggs look like.
According to the Center of Disease Control, head lice eggs pictures are usually white to yellowish in color. As shown in this picture, nits are oval or round in shape and tightly attached onto hair shaft- about a quarter an inch distance from the scalp.
The size is 0.8 and 0.3 in length and width respectively. Nits are caramel to greyish in color when laid, but turns yellowish during incubation and eventually white after hatching.
Note: louse eggs, particularly empty nits or nits cases are often mistaken for dandruff.
Head Lice Pictures Actual Size CDC
There are basically three stages in the life of head lice- the egg, the nymph and a mature head lice. A fully grown head lice appears tan to greyish whitish in color and has six legs with claws for holding onto the hair.
In regard to head lice pictures actual size as per CDC photo shown here, a mature head lice is about 2-3 millimeters or sesame seed size. You can also notice that a female head lice is slightly larger in size than a male head lice.
Lice tend to resemble the color of the hair they infest- lice in dark hair tends to be darker in color than those in light colored hair.
Head Lice Pictures Nits Eggs
Nits are unhatched oval or round shaped eggs laid by a mature female adult lice and is found closer to the scalp- usually less than one centimeter from the scalp.
They are firmly held on the hair shaft which makes it difficult to remove.
On their actual size, nits or louse eggs are microscopic- estimated to measure 0.8 and 0.3 in length and width respectively (see pictures).
Because of their tiny size, they may not be easily spotted on naked eyes. Nits are often confused with dandruff among other dirt and debris found in human hair.
Head Lice Pictures of Scalp
Immature lice or nymph is looks more like the adult head lice (see pictures), but is usually smaller in size. A live nymph feeds on human blood for sustenance.
The nymph move towards the scalp after hatching and mature into an adult lice 9-12 days after hatching.
On head lice pictures of the scalp, you will probably found bump and lump like sores on your scalp due to sucking of blood and excessive scratching in response to itching (see pictures).
These bumps and lumps can make combing and brushing of hair a very painful encounter.
The picture of your infested scalp could be very embarrassing and upsetting to watch. Taking head lice pictures of the scalp could prove hard.
Unless, of course, you are an expert in taking selfies of the head particularly the back of the neck and areas around the ears, .
Head Lice Bites Sores
When head lice bite, you may have sores developing on your scalp. In most cases, the sores are not serious, but always consult your doctor if you feel bothered, and specifically if:
- The sores last for several days without healing
- Sores become so many in number and keeps coming back
- If you notice changes in the size, shape and color of lumps and bumps on the scalp.
Head Lice Symptoms & Treatment
Head lice are a common problem in children aged 4-11 years. CDC pictures reveal different aspects of this disturbing creature. They are often concentrated in warmer areas around the ears and the back of the neck.
Head lice predominantly thrives on the scalp and would starve to death within 24 hour off the human scalp. The common symptom of head lice visitation in most people is itching and tickling sensation as they suck blood. However, spotting a live louse is the best confirmation of infestation.
Once infected, head lice will never go away on their own, and appropriate treatment should be applied and in line with prescriptions and instructions thereto. There are thousands of remedies in the market today- common over the counter medications.
Besides, head treatment involves several procedures that must be adhered to obtain positive outcomes. However some of these medications are not effective in eliminating the parasites.
There are also effective natural remedies for head lice treatment including tea tree oil, white vinegar and mayonnaise.
These treatments are recommended by pediatricians for treatment of head lice. A recent study by researchers in Manning Pediatric hospital reveals that resistance to head lice to common medications has increased in the recent past.
However, combing through the wet hair using head lice comb is the most appropriate way of spotting and getting rid of active infestation.
Head Lice Pictures UK
Head lice pictures shows a small creature with six legs on human scalp. Their color range from grayish to yellowish brown as they mature from nymph to an adult head lice.
It also shows louse eggs tightly onto hair shafts just a few distance from the scalp as other appears to be farther away from the scalps.
It becomes evident that those closer to scalps pose a threat because they are live nits waiting to hatch into nymphs.
Those located farther away from the scalp and whitish in color are either nonviable or dead louse eggs which cannot hatch into young lice.
These pictures also shows a creature the size of sesame seed or about 2-3 millimeters for mature adults.
Besides, even though nits are very tiny, they can be spotted with necked eyes albeit with some difficulty.
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Sources & References on Pictures of What Does Head Lice Like
- Head lice. (2015, April). Retrieved from http://kidshealth.org/en/parents/head-lice.html
- Head lice FAQs. (2015, September 2). Retrieved from http://www.cdc.gov/parasites/lice/head/gen_info/faqs.html
- Mayo Clinic Staff. (2015, March 28). Lice. Retrieved from http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/lice/basics/definition/con-20021627