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Head lice

Illustration copyright 2002 Nucleus Communications, Inc. All rights reserved. http://www.nucleusinc.com

Adult head lice are approximately the size of a sesame seed [2.4mm to 3.3mm] and can vary in color from white to brown to dark gray. Louse eggs are much smaller [0.8mm] 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.

Primary Medical Reviewer Kathleen Romito, MD
- Family Medicine
Primary Medical Reviewer Michael J. Sexton, MD
- Pediatrics
Specialist Medical Reviewer Thomas Emmett Francoeur, MDCM, CSPQ, FRCPC
- Pediatrics
Last Updated November 24, 2006

WebMD Medical Reference from Healthwise

Last Updated: November 24, 2006
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