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Adult Head Louse

Head Lice Pictures

From Vincent Iannelli, M.D., About.com

Updated: July 28, 2006

About.com Health's Disease and Condition content is reviewed by Kate Grossman, MD

A picture of an adult head louse.
Adult Head LouseVincent Iannelli, MD
Adult Head Louse
A magnified picture of an adult head louse. In reality, mature head lice are about the size of a sesame seed.

This is probably a female head louse, since it is a little 'fatter' than a male. It can be seen with a strand of hair for size comparison.

Note the characteristic six legs of this crawling insect. If you magnified this louse even further, you might be able see the small claws on the end of their legs that they use to grasp hair.

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