How to Tell if You Have Lice: Symptoms and Pictures

 

How to Tell if You Have Lice: Symptoms and Pictures

These pictures will help you spot lice, nits, and eggs

Lice can look like dandruff or other conditions of the scalp. Identifying head lice often depends on spotting the nits (eggs), which look like tiny yellow, tan, or brown spots stuck on the hair shaft near the scalp.

This article has pictures of what head lice look like. You will learn how to tell if your child has live lice or just lice eggs. Once you know for sure that your child has lice, you can get treatment.

What Lice Eggs (Nits) Look Like

How to Tell if You Have Lice: Symptoms and What to Look For

Head lice are tiny parasitic insects that live on the scalp and feed on human blood. They are highly contagious, especially among children, and can cause intense itching and discomfort. Many people don’t realize they have lice until symptoms become noticeable. Knowing the early signs and what to look for can help you detect lice before the problem spreads further.

Common Symptoms of Head Lice

1. Itchy Scalp
   The most common symptom of head lice is itching, especially around the scalp, neck, and ears. This is caused by an allergic reaction to lice saliva. However, not everyone reacts the same way, and itching may not start right away—sometimes it takes weeks to notice.

2. Tickling Feeling or Movement
   Some people describe a crawling or tickling sensation on their scalp. This is due to the lice moving around in the hair, especially at night when they are more active.

3. Sores and Red Bumps
   Repeated scratching can cause sores or red bumps on the scalp. In some cases, these areas may become infected from bacteria entering through broken skin.

4. Difficulty Sleeping
   Because lice are more active in the dark, itching and movement may disturb sleep, especially in young children.

Visual Signs of Lice

To confirm if someone has head lice, a close visual inspection is needed. You can use a fine-toothed lice comb (as shown in the image) and good lighting. Here’s what to look for:

• Nits (Lice Eggs)
  These are oval-shaped, tiny white or yellowish eggs that stick to the hair shaft close to the scalp. They are most commonly found behind the ears and at the base of the neck. Nits are firmly attached and won’t flake off like dandruff.

• Nymphs (Baby Lice)
  These look like small adult lice and hatch from nits. They mature into adults in about 7–10 days.

• Adult Lice
  Adult head lice are about the size of a sesame seed, tan to grayish-white in color, and move quickly through the hair. They are harder to spot because they avoid light and move fast.

Where to Check

Lice prefer warm areas, so check:

• Behind the ears

• Along the neckline

• The crown of the head

• Around the temples

Use a magnifying glass if needed, and part the hair in small sections to examine the scalp thoroughly.

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Conclusion

If you suspect head lice, don’t panic. Early detection is key to stopping the spread. Look for itching, red bumps, and visible nits or lice. Use a lice comb and natural light for better visibility. Once confirmed, begin treatment immediately and check all family members. With timely care, lice can be treated safely and effectively.

How to Tell if You Have Lice: Symptoms and What to Look For

Head lice are tiny parasitic insects that live on the scalp and feed on human blood. They are highly contagious, especially among children, and can cause intense itching and discomfort. Many people don’t realize they have lice until symptoms become noticeable. Knowing the early signs and what to look for can help you detect lice before the problem spreads further.

Common Symptoms of Head Lice

1. Itchy Scalp
   The most common symptom of head lice is itching, especially around the scalp, neck, and ears. This is caused by an allergic reaction to lice saliva. However, not everyone reacts the same way, and itching may not start right away—sometimes it takes weeks to notice.

2. Tickling Feeling or Movement
   Some people describe a crawling or tickling sensation on their scalp. This is due to the lice moving around in the hair, especially at night when they are more active.

3. Sores and Red Bumps
   Repeated scratching can cause sores or red bumps on the scalp. In some cases, these areas may become infected from bacteria entering through broken skin.

4. Difficulty Sleeping
   Because lice are more active in the dark, itching and movement may disturb sleep, especially in young children.

Visual Signs of Lice

To confirm if someone has head lice, a close visual inspection is needed. You can use a fine-toothed lice comb (as shown in the image) and good lighting. Here’s what to look for:

• Nits (Lice Eggs)
  These are oval-shaped, tiny white or yellowish eggs that stick to the hair shaft close to the scalp. They are most commonly found behind the ears and at the base of the neck. Nits are firmly attached and won’t flake off like dandruff.

• Nymphs (Baby Lice)
  These look like small adult lice and hatch from nits. They mature into adults in about 7–10 days.

• Adult Lice
  Adult head lice are about the size of a sesame seed, tan to grayish-white in color, and move quickly through the hair. They are harder to spot because they avoid light and move fast.

Where to Check

Lice prefer warm areas, so check:

• Behind the ears

• Along the neckline

• The crown of the head

• Around the temples

Use a magnifying glass if needed, and part the hair in small sections to examine the scalp thoroughly.

---

Conclusion

If you suspect head lice, don’t panic. Early detection is key to stopping the spread. Look for itching, red bumps, and visible nits or lice. Use a lice comb and natural light for better visibility. Once confirmed, begin treatment immediately and check all family members. With timely care, lice can be treated safely and effectively.

The easiest way to identify a lice infestation is to know what the eggs look like. Lice are good at hiding, but the eggs remain adhered to the hair shaft until they are manually removed.

Lice eggs are called nit. They are very tiny—about the size of a knot in a strand of thread. They are oval-shaped, usually a yellowish-white color, and are firmly attached to the sides of hair shafts. They can easily be confused with dandruff, scabs, or even droplets of hair spray.1

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). About head lice.

Some people only use "nits" to refer to empty egg casings while "lice eggs" is used for eggs that can hatch (viable eggs). However, other people use "nits" to refer to both viable lice eggs and empty egg casings.