Pictures of Head Lice

A close up look at a head lice or louse is like taking a look at an alien creature from out of space. I am sure glad these tiny creatures are just that! Tiny!

The images below are scary and are stuff nightmares are made from, but the fact of the matter is that these parasitic pests are easy to get rid of and are not as tough as they look under a microscope.

The average size adult head lice is is no bigger than the head of a small pin, and the nits are barley visible with the naked eye. It is there size however that can make it hard to diagnose the itching you or your child is experiencing.

To locate the little buggers, go under a very bright light, preferably natural sun light. Use a small tooth comb to part the hair and look at the scalp or close to the root of the hair for any dark brown tiny critter.

Head lice lay their eggs at the root of the hair follicle and the nits, or baby head lice will be found there also. A thorough look should be done and careful inspection should locate a colony.

The treatment of the head lice infestation will be different for a child and or adult. Remember that the treatment of head lice will often time only kill the adults and the nits and the eggs will usually survive, that is why several treatment is needed over a 3-4 weeks time frame, so that you will kill all the lice as they go through their life cycle.
More on treatment of head lice go to Getting Rid of Headlice

The Head Lice Life Cycle:

Head lice Close Up Under Microscope