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False-coloured scanning electron micrograph of a head louse clinging to a strand of human hair. Head lice (Pediculus) feed on human blood and live in close proximity to the scalp. They lay eggs (nits) in sacs which firmly attach to individual strands of hair near the base of the shaft. Width of image is 1 mm.

Head louse clinging to strand of human hair, SEM

False-coloured scanning electron micrograph showing the surface of a single strand of hair which has been heavily bleached and straightened. This image shows the tip of a hair taken from the front of the head of a female of Caucasian descent. Although naturally curly, the hair has been repeatedly straightened. Exposure to hair colour or dye, heating and drying can over time damage the hair shaft (barbed wire-like appearance seen here) making the hair brittle and more prone to breakage. The hair shaft is made up of several layers of a tough protein called keratin. The outer layer (cuticle) is visible here and is made up of overlapping, tightly packed scales. Horizontal width of image is 829 micrometres.

Damaged human hair, bleached and straightened, SEM

SEM of a strand of human hair. Variation can be seen in the structure and appearance of hairs in particular the cuticle, the outer most part of the hair, which is composed of overlapping, scale-like cells and can be a useful indicator as to its origin. Human hair scales have a random, non-repeating pattern, in contrast to those of animals, which are more regular in their arrangement. Scanning electron micrograph; x 750; hair is approximately 95 micrometers wide.

Human hair (Asian origin)

False-coloured scanning electron micrograph of a head louse clinging onto two strands of human hair. Head lice (Pediculus) feed on human blood and live in close proximity to the scalp. They lay eggs (nits) in sacs which firmly attach to individual strands of hair near the base of the shaft. Width of image is 3 mm.

Head louse clinging onto strands of human hair, SEM

Head lice are passed by direct contact from person to person or by sharing brushes, combs and hats. They cause discomfort and annoyance, but have also been associated with the spread of disease. Some, such as typhus, are potentially deadly. Lice and their eggs can be removed from human hair using combs like this. Carved from horn, it is decorated with two circular finger grips and has a double row of very fine teeth. The comb was made in India in the 1800s.

It differs little from combs today. Head lice were common in Britain in the 1700s. Many men and women often shaved their heads to prevent head lice and remove the need to wash the hair. They preferred wearing wigs.

maker: Unknown maker

Place made: India

Double lice comb, India, 1801-1900

Scanning electron micrograph showing the surface of a single strand of hair which has been heavily bleached and straightened. This image shows the tip of a hair taken from the front of the head of a female of Caucasian descent. Although naturally curly, the hair has been repeatedly straightened. Exposure to hair colour or dye, heating and drying can over time damage the hair shaft (barbed wire-like appearance seen here) making the hair brittle and more prone to breakage. The hair shaft is made up of several layers of a tough protein called keratin. The outer layer (cuticle) is visible here and is made up of overlapping, tightly packed scales. Horizontal width of image is 829 micrometres.

Many men and women in the 1700s had their heads shaved to prevent attacks of head lice and remove the need to wash the hair. To cover up the baldness, they wore wigs made from human hair or horsehair, which were stuck on with animal fat. White powder, made from ingredients such flour and clay, were placed on to wigs to give them a fashionable colour. Wigs were also status symbols and often indicated the wealth of the wearer.

maker: Unknown maker

Place made: England, United Kingdom

Ivory powder bottle used by a wig dresser, England, 1701-180

False-coloured scanning electron micrograph of a head louse. Head lice (Pediculus) feed on human blood and live in close proximity to the scalp. They lay eggs (nits) in sacs which firmly attach to individual strands of hair near the base of the shaft. Width of image is 900 micrometres.

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Head louse clinging to strand of human hair, SEM

Damaged human hair, bleached and straightened, SEM

Human hair (Asian origin)

Damaged human hair, bleached and straightened, SEM

Damaged human hair, bleached and straightened, SEM

Head louse clinging onto strands of human hair, SEM

Double lice comb, India, 1801-1900

Damaged human hair, bleached and straightened, SEM

Ivory powder bottle used by a wig dresser, England, 1701-180

Head louse, SEM

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Active filters:

Head louse clinging to strand of human hair, SEM

Damaged human hair, bleached and straightened, SEM

Human hair (Asian origin)

Damaged human hair, bleached and straightened, SEM

Damaged human hair, bleached and straightened, SEM

Head louse clinging onto strands of human hair, SEM

Double lice comb, India, 1801-1900

Damaged human hair, bleached and straightened, SEM

Ivory powder bottle used by a wig dresser, England, 1701-180

Head louse, SEM

Stay in the know

Wellcome collectionWellcome Collection

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Wellcome collection