Illustration copyright 2002 Nucleus
Communications, Inc. All rights reserved.
http://www.nucleusinc.com
Adult head lice are approximately the size of a sesame seed
[2.5 mm (0.1 in.) to
3.5 mm (0.14 in.)] and can vary
in color from white to brown to dark gray.
Louse eggs (nits) are much smaller [1 mm (0.03 in.)] and look like light gray or brown oval
cylinders glued to individual hair shafts.
Head lice spread easily from one person to another through close
bodily contact or through shared clothing or personal items such as hats or
hair brushes.
ByHealthwise Staff
Primary Medical ReviewerJohn Pope, MD - Pediatrics