What Head Lice Look Like in Hair

It is important to understand what head lice look like in your hair so you can get rid of the infestation as soon as possible. Lice are tiny bugs that have three pairs of legs and resemble small dots. They lay their eggs in hair shafts close to the scalp. The temperature of these hair shafts is ideal for lice to lay their eggs. Once they hatch, they leave an empty nit on your hair shaft. You can spot head lice by the appearance of these nits in your hair.

Head lice look like tiny white, brown, or gray specks that can be seen with the naked eye. They are usually found on the head behind the ears. They will attach themselves to the hair near the scalp and will not move when you brush it. You can also tell if you have head lice by combing through your hair with a comb, particularly if it is wet.

If your child has head lice, you can treat the infection with products that kill the lice and prevent their eggs from laying any more eggs. You can also wash the affected clothing in hot water and dry it on high heat. Afterwards, you can store the clothes in a plastic bag for up to two weeks. You should also treat the rest of your family, including pets, for head lice.