The Actual Size of Head Lice

Head lice come in three stages: the nymph stage, the adult stage, and the immature stage. The adult head louse is between two and three millimetres long and has six legs and claws for holding onto your hair. The nymph stage is much smaller than the adult stage. However, the adult stage is about one-eighth and one-half millimeter long and resembles a sesame seed. Because they are not able to fly, head lice are mostly transmitted through hair to hair contact.

A head louse’s egg stage is characterized by its small size, and this stage can be difficult to detect. The size of a nymph is comparable to a pinhead, and it sticks to the hair shaft tightly. Unlike their adult counterparts, however, the nymph will pop out between fingernails when you move your fingers.

Despite their tiny size, head lice can spread rapidly and can cause a great deal of discomfort. Often, it can cause difficulty sleeping and irritability. Lice are most active in the dark. They can also leave sores on the head, which become infected with bacteria from the person’s skin. Head lice are spread by head-to-head contact, which is common during play, slumber parties, and sports. Another way to spread head lice is by lying on a shared bed. Pets do not play a role in this process, and should be kept out of the equation.

When you’ve found a head lice nymph, the next step is to remove it. During this stage, you’ll need to treat it with an anti-lice shampoo. The adult head louse will be able to lay up to 10 eggs a day. If left untreated, head lice can repeat the cycle every three weeks. It is also very difficult to remove them from the hair strand, as they have hook-like claws on their legs.