What Head Lice Look Like

You might be wondering what head lice look like. They are tiny parasites that live in the scalp. They are white, gray, or brown and more likely to be found on the scalp behind the ears. If you notice a lot of nits attached to your hair near the scalp, you might have head lice. These tiny bugs are very difficult to spot and will not budge from the hair strand. To find out whether or not you have lice, try combing through your hair with a fine-toothed comb.

Adult lice are smaller than sesame seeds and grayish-white. Their life cycle lasts approximately 3 weeks. They feed on human blood several times a day and can live for two days off the scalp. The life cycle of a single head louse can repeat itself every three weeks if left untreated.

A picture of a young girl with head lice shows a live louse. It is difficult to spot the live louse in children, especially those with long hair. An adult head louse is about the size of a sesame seed and has six legs and small claws.

If you suspect your child has head lice, it’s vital to check them regularly. Preschoolers and daycare children should have their heads checked on a daily basis. If you think your child has head lice, check them as often as possible to catch it before it becomes a big problem.