Lice how does it look like

Those that are less than six millimeters from the scalp are most likely to hatch. The eggs are essentially glued on to the hair by secretions from the female louse. The eggs take about a week to hatch, producing a nymph. The nymphs then go through three successive growth spurts.

During these spurts, they molt until they reach adult size. Adult lice are about the size of a sesame seed and can be very hard to see, because they can be any color from white to tan to brown. Lice typically feed on blood four to five times each day. They use their mouth parts to bite into the skin and secrete a substance that acts to block clotting. Learn more: What do lice look like? Head lice are obligate parasites.

This means that they cannot survive without a human host. This species can live only on human hosts, so you cannot get them from your dog, cat, guinea pig, or any other kind of furry pet you may have. Body lice are slightly different from head lice because they lay their eggs on clothing instead of on the body. Body lice also live in clothing and only move onto the body to feed. Body lice can carry a number of diseases, such as:.

Pubic lice are a species of lice with large front legs, making them resemble crabs underneath a microscope. They are the smallest type of lice. Lice infestations can happen to anyone, but they are a particular concern for school-age children. Children who live in crowded conditions may have more of a problem with head lice. There are only two ways head lice can spread from person to person.

One is by direct head-to-head contact, as when children hug or put their heads together to look at the same book. The other way is by sharing hats, caps, hair ties, scarves, or any personal item such as combs or brushes. Body lice are spread by lice living on unwashed clothing. Unlike other kinds of lice, the spread of body lice can be prevented fairly simply.

Clothes should be washed often after wearing, and you should avoid sharing clothing with others. Children that contract pubic lice may be victims of sexual abuse. There are a number of treatments that can effectively get rid of head lice. These include over-the-counter products, natural remedies, and prescription medications.

However, it is important to note that there are no natural or alternative products recommended by the CDC for the treatment of lice.

Getting rid of lice completely involves three steps. Until more research proves the effectiveness of head lice prevention products, the best approach is simply to take thorough steps to get rid of the lice — and their eggs — so that you don't have more lice to deal with. However, it's not realistic to expect that you and your child can eliminate all the types of contact that may result in the spread of lice. Your child may have nits in his or her hair but not necessarily develop a case of head lice.

Some nits are empty eggs. Nits that are farther away from the scalp are probably from an old infestation, but should be removed to prevent a recurrence.

Mayo Clinic does not endorse companies or products. Advertising revenue supports our not-for-profit mission. This content does not have an English version. This content does not have an Arabic version. Overview Head lice Open pop-up dialog box Close. Head lice Head lice occur on the scalp and are easiest to see at the nape of the neck and over the ears. Head lice Open pop-up dialog box Close.

Head lice Head lice feed on blood from the scalp. Request an Appointment at Mayo Clinic. Share on: Facebook Twitter.

Show references Devore CD, et al. Head lice. Mayo Clinic; When fed, head lice can live for up to a month, but they will die within a day or two if they are not able to feed on blood. Instead, they crawl around in your hair and on your scalp to get nourishment.

Lice are spread through close personal contact. The parasites crawl onto your clothing, hairbrushes, hats, towels, and any other personal belongings. If a friend or family member shares your comb or scarf, the head lice can crawl onto the new host and lay eggs, spreading the infestation. Female head lice can lay several eggs each day.

Household pets and other animals do not spread head lice to humans. Some people experience the uncomfortable symptoms of head lice before noticing them in the hair, while others are asymptomatic. Head lice bite you in order to feed off your blood. You might develop sores or red, raised bumps on your scalp from scratching your head without realizing why you are itchy at first. Other symptoms that alert you to a case of head lice include a ticklish feeling on your head, especially at night.

The head louse is a nocturnal creature and is more active in the dark than during the light of day. A visual inspection of your hair and scalp is usually effective in detecting head lice, though the creatures are so small that they can be difficult to spot with the naked eye. Parting your hair in small sections and literally going through each section with a fine-tooth comb is a painstaking but necessary step to find and remove head lice.

A bright light and a magnifying glass are useful tools to aid in the detection and diagnostic process.

Head lice are treated through manual removal with a comb as well as special shampoos containing chemicals that kill lice. Even if just one nit or adult louse is found, treatment is advised to reduce the threat of a full infestation.

Shop for lice combs. Shop for lice-killing shampoos. Clothing, bedding, and towels must all be washed in hot water to control the infestation. Vacuuming carpets and furniture upholstery is another component of the treatment process for head lice. The good news is while a head lice infestation can be annoying and possibly uncomfortable, this common condition is treatable.

Complications are rare and generally limited to skin infections caused by scratching. You may wonder where head lice originated, and why they affect human beings.