Pictures and Images to Identify and Recognize Lice in Hair

Understanding Lice Infestations in Hair

Lice are tiny wingless parasitic insects that live on the scalp and feed on human blood. There are three main types of lice that can infest human hair: head lice, body lice, and pubic lice. Although an infestation can happen to anyone, children between 3 and 12 years old are most commonly affected. Detecting and treating lice early is important to stop them from spreading to others.

Appearance of Lice in Hair

Lice appear as small tan or grayish-white bugs about the size of a sesame seed. They can crawl quickly and avoid light, so they can be hard to see. Lice glue their tiny nits (eggs) to strands of hair very close to the scalp. Nits look similar to dandruff but stick tightly to the hair and can't be easily removed or brushed off.

Signs and Symptoms

The main symptom of lice is mild to severe itching, especially on the neck, scalp, and behind the ears. The itching results from an allergic reaction to the lice bites. You may also notice small red bumps or sores on the scalp caused by scratching and irritation from the lice. Your child may complain of trouble sleeping or concentrating due to the constant itchiness. Lice do not transmit any diseases, but scratching can lead to skin infection.

How Lice Spread

Lice cannot fly or jump - they crawl and spread mainly through direct head-to-head contact. Less often, they can spread via shared combs, brushes, hats, helmets, headphones, or other personal items. Lice only survive for 1-2 days off the human body. Children are high risk because they often play or work closely together and share items like hair accessories, clothing, and towels. Lice outbreaks frequently occur at schools, daycares, sleepovers, camps, and sports activities.

Diagnosing a Lice Infestation

If your child is scratching their head constantly or you see nits stuck near the base of the hair, it may indicate lice. To check for lice, part the hair in small sections and look closely with a bright light and magnifying glass. Adult lice may be hard to find because they avoid light and move quickly. Focus on confirming the presence of nits, often found behind the ears and near the nape of the neck. Nits may appear yellowish or white and oval-shaped. A doctor can also clinically diagnose lice by looking closely at the scalp and hair.

Treating and Eliminating Lice from Hair

Medicated Lice Treatment Products

There are various over-the-counter and prescription medicated products to kill lice and nits:

• Pyrethrin-based shampoos, sprays, mousses - contain insecticide pyrethrins extracted from chrysanthemum flowers
• Permethrin lotions - synthetic insecticide that kills lice
• Malathion lotion - approved for treatment of lice that don't respond to pyrethrin or permethrin products
• Ivermectin lotion - kills lice by paralyzing their nervous system
• Benzyl alcohol lotion - kills lice by suffocation
• Spinosad suspension - made from a soil bacteria that kills lice

All lice medications are designed to remain on the hair long enough to kill active lice and some nits. The product directions should be carefully followed. Sometimes a second treatment is recommended 7-10 days later to kill any newly hatched nits.

Removing Nits from Hair

Removal of nits after treatment is important to prevent self-reinfestation. Nit removal can be challenging and tedious because the nits cement themselves to the hair strands. Fine-tooth lice combs, tweezers, or your fingernails can help remove stubborn nits. There are also special nit removal combs with finer teeth designed to grasp and pull out the nits. Consider asking a friend or family member to help comb through the hair to ensure thorough nit removal.

Other Treatment and Prevention Tips

• Soak hair instruments like combs and brushes for 1 hour in rubbing alcohol or hot water of 130F or higher.
• Wash all clothes, bed linens, towels, and other personal items in very hot water and dry on the highest dryer setting to kill any stray lice or nits.
• Vacuum carpets, upholstery, and mattresses thoroughly to pick up shed hairs with nits.
• Avoid direct head-to-head contact with anyone who has lice during treatment.
• Check everyone in the household for lice and treat those affected at the same time to prevent reinfestation.
• Use hair gels, mousses, hairspray, or hair clips to help keep hair separated and make lice less likely to spread.
• Consider preventive steps at school, daycare or camps like avoiding shared hats, helmets, brushes, and towels.

Recognizing Lice and Nits in Pictures

Most people have little experience identifying lice and nits since infestations can be discreet. Recognizing what lice and nits look like is an important part of detection and treatment. Here are some key photos and microscope images that can help identify lice:

Adult Lice

This close-up image shows two adult lice next to a ruler for scale. Lice appear as small wingless insects with tan to grayish-white bodies and dark eyes. They have six legs with claw-like appendages to cling to hair strands.

Nit Close to Scalp

This is a nit cemented to a hair shaft near the root. Nits are lice eggs and appear yellowish or white and oval-shaped. They adhere tightly to hair strands unlike dandruff which brushes off easily.

Nits Under Microscope

Under a microscope, you can see small nits lining the hair shaft. Nits are laid by adult female lice and camouflaged with a glue-like substance that sticks to hair.

Nymph Lice Under Microscope

Nymph lice are immature lice that hatch from nits. Here you can see newly emerged nymphs are nearly colorless. They must feed on blood to grow into adult lice and reproduce.

When to See a Doctor

In most cases, lice can be treated effectively at home with medicated shampoos or professional nit combing. See your doctor if:

• Over-the-counter treatments don't seem effective after two full courses.
• You believe the lice may be resistant to the medications.
• The scalp has become infected from excessive scratching.
• You are interested in prescription medication treatment options.

A doctor can diagnose a stubborn case of lice, provide guidance on alternative treatments, and prescribe stronger medication lotions if needed. Make sure to carefully follow treatment instructions to fully eliminate lice and nits.

Catching lice early and taking proactive steps to kill and remove lice/nits can help curb an infestation before it spreads. Checking your child's head regularly when lice are common in your community can allow for quicker treatment. Understanding what lice and nits look like will help with detection and give you confidence in knowing the treatment is working. With the right knowledge and treatment regimen, lice can be effectively controlled and eliminated.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new treatment regimen.