Are Head Lice Big Enough to See?

Head lice are tiny parasitic insects that live in the hair. They are usually grayish white or tan in color and are about the size of a sesame seed. Adult lice live for up to a month, but they die after a few days without blood. During this time, they lay eggs in the hair, called nits. Nits are oval-shaped blobs that stick to the hair close to the scalp.

When you find nits on your scalp, you know that you have head lice. These tiny critters are nearly impossible to see and are difficult to detect in certain hair colors. Therefore, it is important to use a magnifying glass. It will help you focus on small areas, detect movement and help you detect if you’ve got head lice.

You can also use a strand of hair that is adjacent to the head of the child to compare the size of the head louse with that strand of hair. It is important to find live lice before the infestation progresses. This will help you treat the infestation more effectively. You can also look for nits and live lice through pictures, which will help you make an accurate diagnosis.

Medicated head lice treatments can help kill live lice on the head of your child. They can be over-the-counter or prescribed by a physician. It is important to follow the instructions on the label of the product. If the treatments do not work, consult your pediatrician. Remember to avoid covering treated areas with plastic to prevent re-infestation. You should also keep in mind that lice can survive for up to 48 hours off the scalp.