Head louse claw. Coloured scanning electron micrograph (SEM) of the claw of a head louse (Pediculus humanus capitis) clinging to a strand of human hai

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Head louse claw. Coloured scanning electron micrograph (SEM) of the claw of a head louse (Pediculus humanus capitis) clinging to a strand of human hair. The head louse is parasitic insect which inhabits the hair of the head, gluing its eggs (called nits) to the shafts of individual hairs. It lives on blood, which it sucks from the scalp. The wounds left by the lice cause intense itching, which can lead to dermatitis infection. The problems are compounded by reflex scratching of the bites. The lice can spread from head to head by close contact. Lice and nits can be killed with medicated shampoos.

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Size: 3412px × 2567px
Photo credit: © KARSTEN SCHNEIDER/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No

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