Up Close Pictures of Lice and Nits in Hair: Detection, Treatment & Prevention

Getting Up Close and Personal with Head Lice

Head lice - the words alone are enough to make any parent or school nurse cringe. These tiny wingless parasites take up residence in hair and feed on human blood. While a lice infestation (pediculosis) is not dangerous, it causes intense itching and can spread rapidly through schools, camps, and homes.

Understanding what head lice look like can help with early detection and treatment. So let's take a close-up view of these irritating insects and the signs they leave behind in hair.

Appearance of Head Lice

Head lice are very small insects, each about the size of a sesame seed. They are grayish-white in color. Lice have six hooked claws that allow them to efficiently grip onto hair shafts.

These tiny parasites have specially adapted bodies to live in human hair. Their flattened shape allows them to hide right against the scalp. Head lice also have no wings and cannot jump or fly.

Pictures of Live Lice in Hair

Because lice shy away from light, seeing live lice is tricky. Close inspections of several areas of the scalp are needed to spot them. Pictures of lice living in hair show their grayish-white bodies camouflaged right up against hair shafts.

Low-level infestations of just 10 live lice may not have any visible signs. But a more severe infestation of 30 or more active lice can result in visible movement in the hair. Parting small sections of hair can reveal lice and their larvae moving quickly away from the light.

Nits - Lice Eggs

Even more common than spotting live lice are their tiny grayish-white eggs called nits. These teardrop-shaped eggs attach firmly to individual hair shafts, most often at the nape of the neck or behind the ears.

A single female louse can lay up to 10 nits per day. Unlike dandruff which easily shakes loose, nits stick like glue to strands near the scalp. Pictures reveal their camouflaged oval shapes clinging stubbornly to hair.

It takes about 7-10 days for nits to hatch. Viable nits within 1⁄4 inch of the scalp are unlikely to have hatched and signal an active infestation. Finding more than 5 nits strongly indicates the need for lice treatment.

Lice Bites

As lice feed on blood by piercing the scalp with their sharp mouthparts, they leave behind small red marks. These irritated spots then cause intense itching, the most troubling symptom of a lice infestation.

Close-up pictures of lice bites show multiple tiny red bumps clustered together, usually around the neckline, behind the ears, and on the crown of the head. Scratching these areas can lead to scabbing, sores, and even secondary bacterial infections.

Treating and Preventing Head Lice

Discovering lice or nits calls for quick action. Both over-the-counter and prescription treatments can kill live lice and some nits. Home remedies like mayonnaise and tea tree oil may help loosen nits for easier removal. But diligent nit-combing is key for complete elimination.

Here are some top tips for treating active head lice cases and preventing future infestations:

Medicated Lice Shampoos

Pediculicides containing pyrethrins or permethrins can kill live lice with a single application. However, resistance is growing, making these shampoos less effective.

Oral Medications

Ivermectin and malathion are oral prescription drugs that have become go-to treatments due to lice resistance to topicals. But side effects like rash, vomiting, and neurologic effects are possible.

Manual Nit Removal

After any lice treatment, diligently combing nits out with a fine-tooth lice comb is essential. Nit-removal combs mechanically extract the clinging eggs and speed the nit-free process.

Continue Checking for Lice

Carefully inspect all family members' hair for live lice and viable nits for 2-3 weeks after initial treatment. Spot treating any areas where lice activity continues can help eliminate a stubborn infestation.

Clean Bedding and Clothes

Machine wash and dry all bedding, hats, clothing, towels, and other items that contacted the infested person’s hair using hot water and high heat. Stuffed animals can be bagged for 2 weeks.

Disinfect Combs, Brushes, Accessories

Soak combs, brushes, hair ties and headbands in rubbing alcohol or medicated shampoo for one hour, then rinse thoroughly in hot water to remove all traces of lice or nits.

Vacuum Thoroughly

Use a vacuum fitted with a HEPA filter to suck up any stray lice or nits from carpets, furniture, car seats, and any other surfaces in the home.

Avoid Direct Head Contact

Don't share hats, hairbrushes, helmets, or headphones. And avoid lying on the same bed or pillows during an active lice infestation to prevent spread.

Screen Close Contacts

Check others in the household and notify close playmates so they can inspect for signs of lice and treat if needed to prevent reinfestation.

Be Vigilant After Exposure

After known exposure to lice, inspect hair daily and at first signs of itching use a lice comb or magnifying glass to look for lice near the scalp before they spread.

Dealing with Lice in School Settings

Head lice spread like wildfire in group settings like schools, camps, and childcare. While not dangerous, outbreaks disrupt learning and are difficult to control. Some tips for handling lice at school include:

Educate Parents

Inform parents about detection, treatment, and prevention of head lice when school starts and throughout the year. Emphasize the need to report cases to allow monitoring of trends.

Create a Lice Action Plan

Have clear protocols in place for screening students when a case arises, notifying families, and managing readmission after treatment. Consistency is key.

Enact Classroom Preventive Measures

Discourage sharing of clothing at school. Provide separate cubbies or lockers for outerwear to avoid contact between hats, scarves, and coats.

Conduct Routine Classroom Screenings

Have the school nurse or trained staff periodically inspect students’ hair for live lice and nits. Screening days can help detect cases early before transmission occurs.

Resist Overreacting

While frustrating for schools, reaching out with empathy can encourage families to report rather than downplay cases. Avoid stigmatizing students affected by lice.

Respond Rapidly to Contain Spread

Once cases surface, take immediate steps like notifying the affected students’ families, increasing nit combing station availability, and accelerating screening of close classroom contacts.

Coping Emotionally with a Lice Infestation

Beyond the frustrations of intense itching and rigorous treatment, a head lice infestation can take an emotional toll. Some tips to maintain a healthy mindset include:

Stay Calm and Objective

Remind yourself and family members that lice pose no serious health risks. Avoid blaming anyone and work together compassionately as a team.

Know It’s Common and Manageable

Millions of school children get lice every year. While a hassle, remember cases can be managed at home with diligence.

Don’t Feel Embarrassed or Ashamed

Lice spread so easily! Having head lice says nothing about your hygiene or parenting. Anyone can get them.

Focus on the Facts, Not Myths

Don’t get overwhelmed by lice myths and home remedies that lack evidence. Stick with proven treatment steps recommended by pediatricians.

Stay Hopeful It Will Be Over Soon

Keep the big picture in mind - if you follow treatment protocols, the worst will be over in a few weeks. This too shall pass!

When to Seek Medical Care

While lice can usually be handled at home, reach out to your pediatrician or family doctor if:

• You are unsure if the case is definitely head lice versus another condition
• Over-the-counter treatments fail to eliminate live lice after 2 full applications
• Itching and scalp irritation continue despite successful lice/nit removal
• Sores or skin infection develop from excessive scratching
• Your child develops signs of severe anxiety or distress over the lice

With close inspection, prompt treatment, and diligent nit removal, head lice can be conquered. Staying calm, objective, and hopeful throughout the process can ease the frustrations of dealing with this common childhood pest.

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.