What do lice eggs look like on a child's hair?

Understanding Head Lice and Nits

The Life Cycle of Head Lice

Lice eggs, commonly called nits, are oval, about 0.8 mm long, and resemble tiny, translucent or yellowish beads. They adhere firmly to hair shafts near the scalp, often at a 45‑degree angle, making them difficult to remove. The shell is smooth, sometimes displaying a faint white or amber tint that darkens as the embryo develops.

The development of head lice proceeds through three distinct stages:

Egg (nit) stage: Incubation lasts 7–10 days. The embryo matures inside the cemented shell, feeding on the host’s blood through a tiny opening.
Nymph stage: Upon hatching, the young louse emerges as a nymph, measuring about 2 mm. It requires three molts over 9–12 days, each molt increasing size and adding leg setae.
Adult stage: Fully grown lice are 2–3 mm long, grayish‑brown, and capable of laying 5–10 eggs per day. Adults survive up to 30 days on the host, reproducing continuously if untreated.

Understanding the visual characteristics of nits and the timing of each life‑cycle phase enables precise detection and timely intervention, preventing the spread of infestation among children.

Distinguishing Nits from Dandruff and Other Debris

Key Visual Differences

Lice eggs, commonly called nits, are distinguishable by several visual characteristics that set them apart from normal hair debris. They measure about 0.8 mm in length, appear oval‑shaped, and possess a smooth, glossy surface. Their color ranges from pale yellow to light brown, often matching the hair shaft, which makes them difficult to see without close inspection. A defining trait is the firm attachment to the hair shaft: the nit’s curved base clamps around the strand, requiring a fine‑toothed comb or magnification to dislodge.

Key visual differences include:

Size: Nits are larger than typical dandruff flakes, which are usually less than 0.5 mm and irregularly shaped.
Attachment: Nits are glued to the hair at a 45‑degree angle, whereas dandruff and hair casts lie loosely and can be brushed away easily.
Shape: Nits are uniformly oval and slightly elongated; hair casts are cylindrical, encircling the hair like a tube.
Texture: The surface of a nit is smooth and slightly translucent, contrasting with the matte, flaky texture of dandruff.
Location: Nits concentrate near the scalp, especially behind the ears and at the nape, while dandruff distributes evenly along the entire hair length.

Recognizing these distinctions enables rapid identification and appropriate treatment, reducing the risk of infestation spread.

How Nits Attach to Hair

Nits are firmly affixed to the hair shaft by a specialized adhesive produced by the adult female louse. The cement is a protein‑rich, water‑insoluble secretion that hardens within seconds after being deposited. It creates a microscopic bond that encircles the hair cuticle, locking the egg in place just a few millimeters from the scalp where temperature and humidity are optimal for development.

The attachment process follows a precise sequence:

The female louse positions herself near the scalp and inserts her ovipositor into the hair shaft.
She releases a droplet of cement onto the shaft.
The egg is placed onto the cement, aligning its operculum (the opening) toward the scalp.
The cement polymerizes, forming a tight seal that resists mechanical disturbance.

Key characteristics of the bond:

The adhesive adheres to the hair’s outer layer (cuticle) without penetrating the cortex.
It remains effective despite washing, brushing, or mild chemical exposure.
The hardened cement can be visualized as a translucent, oval‑shaped shell attached at one end to the hair, with the other end free to hatch.

Understanding this mechanism aids in selecting removal techniques that target the cement’s weak points, such as applying heat, oil‑based solvents, or specialized nit‑removal combs designed to break the seal without damaging the hair.

Characteristics of Lice Eggs (Nits)

Size and Shape of Nits

Nits, the eggs of head‑lice, are tiny, oval structures that adhere firmly to the hair shaft near the scalp. Each nit measures approximately 0.8 mm in length and 0.3 mm in width—roughly the size of a pinhead. The shell is translucent to off‑white, often appearing slightly yellowish or gray when stained with blood from a hatched nymph. Their shape is uniformly elongated with a pointed tip that anchors into the hair cuticle, allowing the egg to remain in place despite regular brushing.

Length: 0.7 mm – 0.9 mm
Width: 0.25 mm – 0.35 mm
Color: translucent, off‑white, occasionally yellowed
Orientation: angled at 30° – 45° from the hair shaft, with the blunt end facing outward

The attachment point is a cement‑like secretion that hardens within minutes, making removal difficult without specialized tools. Because nits are small and firmly glued, they often require fine‑tooth combs or manual extraction under magnification for accurate identification.

Color and Translucency of Nits

White Nits vs. Darker Nits

Lice eggs, called nits, adhere tightly to hair shafts near the scalp. They appear as oval, immobile structures about 0.8 mm long, with a smooth, translucent surface that may be slightly glossy. The attachment point is a cement‑like substance that resists removal with ordinary combing.

White nits: Typically seen in the early stage of development; the shell is nearly transparent, allowing the pale, unpigmented embryo to be visible. The surrounding cement often looks lighter, giving the egg a whitish or ivory hue.
Darker nits: Form as the embryo matures; the shell acquires a yellow‑brown tint from accumulated waste and pigment. The cement may darken, making the nit appear tan, amber, or brown. Darker nits are usually positioned farther from the scalp, as they have been present longer.

The color shift from white to darker does not indicate a different species; it reflects the egg’s age and developmental progress. Identifying the stage helps determine how long an infestation has persisted and informs treatment timing.

What a Healthy Nit Looks Like

A healthy nit, the egg stage of head‑lice, is a tiny, oval‑shaped capsule firmly attached to a single hair shaft. The capsule measures approximately 0.8 mm in length and 0.3 mm in width, making it barely visible to the naked eye without magnification. Its surface is smooth and glossy, with a translucent or pale ivory hue that may appear slightly yellowish when illuminated. The nit’s lower end is anchored to the hair by a small, sticky secretion that resists easy removal; the upper end remains free.

Key visual identifiers of an intact, viable nit:

Oval, elongated form; not spherical or irregular.
Length around 0.8 mm, width near 0.3 mm.
Color ranging from translucent to off‑white, occasionally yellowish.
Smooth, glossy exterior without cracks or discoloration.
Positioned close to the scalp, typically within ¼ inch of the root.
Single attachment point at the lower pole, visible as a tiny, white dot where the egg adheres to the hair.

These characteristics distinguish a healthy nit from hatched nymphs, debris, or damaged eggs. Recognizing them enables accurate detection and effective treatment.

Location of Nits on the Hair Shaft

Proximity to the Scalp

Lice eggs, or nits, are cemented to the hair shaft within a few millimeters of the scalp. Their proximity creates a distinct visual pattern that differs from eggs laid farther from the skin.

Attachment zone: typically 1–3 mm from the scalp surface, where the hair is most pliable.
Color shift: initially translucent; as they approach the scalp, they become opaque gray or brown due to blood absorption.
Size perception: close placement makes the egg appear flattened against the hair, giving a smooth, glossy outline.
Detection: eggs near the scalp are harder to see because the hair strand is thicker and the scalp’s light reflection reduces contrast.
Removal difficulty: the closer the egg is to the scalp, the stronger the cementing protein, requiring precise combing or specialized treatment.

Common Areas for Nits to Be Found

Nits, the oval, creamy‑white eggs of head‑lice, adhere firmly to individual hair strands. Their placement follows the lice’s need for warmth, moisture, and easy access to the scalp.

Typical sites where nits accumulate include:

The base of the hair shaft, close to the scalp, especially behind the ears.
The crown of the head, where hair is densest.
The nape of the neck, a region often protected by clothing.
The sideburns and the area above the eyebrows, where hair is shorter but still provides a stable anchor.
The area around the hairline, particularly at the temples.

These locations share characteristics: a steady temperature, limited exposure to sunlight, and hair that is thick enough to hold the adhesive coating of the egg. Regular inspection of these zones improves detection and facilitates prompt treatment.

Identifying Nits on a Child's Hair

Tools for Inspection

Fine-Toothed Comb

A fine‑toothed comb is the most reliable handheld tool for detecting lice eggs attached to a child’s hair. The teeth, spaced 0.2–0.3 mm apart, separate each strand and expose the tiny, oval nits that cling to the shaft near the scalp. Nits appear as white or yellowish specks, often resembling sesame seeds, and are firmly glued to the hair cuticle; they do not move and remain stationary until hatching.

When the comb is drawn from the scalp outward, the following observations become possible:

The comb’s close spacing captures nits that would otherwise be hidden under overlapping hair.
The transparent base of the comb allows direct visual inspection of each captured egg.
Repeated passes over the same section increase the likelihood of locating all viable nits.

Effective inspection requires wetting the hair with a conditioner to reduce slip, then combing in sections from the crown to the nape. After each pass, the comb is rinsed and examined under adequate lighting. Any captured nits should be removed with tweezers to prevent future hatching.

The fine‑toothed comb therefore serves both as a diagnostic instrument for confirming the presence of lice eggs and as a mechanical method for their removal, minimizing reliance on chemical treatments.

Magnifying Glass

A magnifying glass is essential for inspecting a child’s scalp when suspecting head‑lice infestation. The lens enlarges the view of each hair strand, allowing clear identification of nits, which are the eggs of the lice.

Nits appear as tiny, oval structures measuring about 0.8 mm in length. When examined under magnification they show a smooth, dome‑shaped surface and a translucent to light‑brown coloration. The shells are firmly cemented to the hair shaft, usually within 1 cm of the scalp, and can be distinguished from dandruff by their fixed position; they do not shift when the hair is brushed.

Key visual cues observable with a magnifying glass:

Size: less than 1 mm, comparable to a pinhead.
Shape: elongated oval, slightly flattened on one side.
Color: ranging from white‑gray in early stages to yellow‑brown as the embryo develops.
Attachment: glued to the hair shaft at an angle, often near the root.
Location: clustered along the hair line, behind ears, and at the nape of the neck.

By focusing the lens on suspect areas, caregivers can differentiate live nits from empty shells, which become translucent and brittle after hatching. Accurate detection with a magnifying glass guides effective treatment and prevents unnecessary chemical use.

Techniques for Effective Nit Detection

Sectioning the Hair

Sectioning the hair creates manageable portions that allow clear inspection of the scalp and strands where lice eggs are most likely to be attached. By separating the hair into discrete sections, the examiner can systematically scan each area, reducing the chance that nits hidden near the root or behind a lock are missed.

To section a child's hair effectively:

Divide the head into four quadrants: front‑left, front‑right, back‑left, back‑right.
Use a fine‑toothed comb to pull a thin strip of hair from the scalp in each quadrant, starting at the hairline and moving toward the crown.
Secure each strip with a small clip or elastic band before moving to the next quadrant.
Repeat the process, creating progressively smaller subsections within each quadrant for detailed examination.

Lice eggs, known as nits, appear as oval, translucent to off‑white bodies measuring 0.8 mm in length. They are firmly glued to the hair shaft, usually within 1 cm of the scalp. In a properly sectioned lock, nits are visible as tiny, bead‑like structures that may show a slight brownish hue when older. Their attachment point is a smooth, elongated shell that aligns with the hair’s direction, making them distinguishable from dandruff or hair fibers when the hair is held taut and examined under adequate lighting.

Lighting Conditions for Best Visibility

Detecting nits on a child’s scalp requires lighting that maximizes contrast and reveals the tiny, oval, translucent shells attached to hair shafts. Poor illumination hides the pale color and the subtle attachment angle, leading to missed infestations.

Direct, white light of at least 500 lux; daylight or a high‑intensity LED lamp works best.
Light positioned at a 45‑degree angle from the hair surface to create shadows that outline each egg.
Background of a dark, matte surface (e.g., a black towel) placed behind the head to increase visual contrast.
Use of a handheld magnifying glass or a 10× loupe with built‑in illumination for close‑up inspection.
Avoid fluorescent bulbs that flicker or emit a cool, bluish hue, as they diminish the visibility of the creamy‑white shells.

For practical application, place the child in a well‑lit room near a window, turn on a bright desk lamp angled downward, and position a dark cloth behind the neck. Hold the magnifier a few centimeters from the hair, moving slowly along each strand. This combination of bright, angled light, dark background, and magnification yields the clearest view of lice eggs.

What to Do After Finding Nits

Confirmation of Infestation

Lice eggs, commonly called nits, are tiny, oval‑shaped structures measuring about 0.8 mm in length. Their color ranges from white or yellowish to brown, depending on the age of the egg and exposure to sunlight. A live nit is firmly cemented to the hair shaft, typically within a half‑inch of the scalp where the temperature supports development. The cement gives the egg a rigid attachment; it does not slide easily when the hair is brushed.

To confirm an infestation, look for the following indicators:

Attachment point: Nits are stuck close to the scalp, often on the underside of the hair near the neck or behind the ears. If the egg is farther than 1 cm from the scalp, it is likely a shed nit rather than an active one.
Shape and size: The egg is oval, smooth, and comparable to a grain of sand. Measuring approximately 0.8 mm, it is visible to the naked eye but clearer under magnification.
Color changes: Fresh nits appear white or pale yellow; older ones darken to brown. A mixture of colors on the same head suggests ongoing egg laying.
Resistance to movement: When a fine‑tooth comb is drawn through the hair, a live nit remains attached to the strand and does not detach easily.
Presence of nymphs: Small, mobile insects resembling adult lice may be observed moving along the hair shaft or scalp after the nits hatch.

Practical steps for verification include using a magnifying lens or a handheld loupes, parting the hair in sections, and inspecting each strand from root to tip. A fine‑tooth lice comb, pulled through damp hair, can dislodge and reveal attached nits. Any egg that remains attached after a gentle pull indicates an active infestation and warrants treatment.

Next Steps for Treatment

Detecting live nits attached to the hair shaft signals the need for prompt intervention. The eggs are firmly glued near the scalp, often appearing as tiny, oval, translucent or yellow‑brown specks. Their presence requires a systematic treatment plan to eliminate both the eggs and the emerging lice.

Apply a recommended pediculicide (permethrin 1 % or pyrethrin‑based lotion) according to the product label; leave the solution on the scalp for the specified time before rinsing.
After the initial application, use a fine‑toothed nit comb on wet, conditioned hair. Start at the scalp and pull the comb through each strand, removing any visible nits.
Rinse the comb frequently in hot water to prevent re‑attachment.
Repeat the combing process every 2–3 days for at least two weeks, covering the period when hatching occurs.

Cleaning the environment reduces reinfestation risk. Wash the child’s bedding, clothing, and towels in hot water (≥ 130 °F) and dry on high heat. Items that cannot be laundered should be sealed in plastic bags for two weeks or exposed to direct sunlight for several hours. Vacuum carpets, upholstered furniture, and car seats; discard the vacuum bag or clean the canister afterward.

Schedule a follow‑up inspection 7–10 days after the first treatment. Verify that no live nits remain and that any new lice are absent. If live insects persist, repeat the pediculicide treatment with a different active ingredient, following the same combing and cleaning protocol. Continuous monitoring for an additional two weeks ensures complete eradication.

Common Misconceptions About Nits

Nits Always Mean Active Infestation

Nits are oval, 0.8 mm long, and semi‑transparent to tan‑brown. They adhere firmly to the hair shaft at a 45‑degree angle, forming a small, cigar‑shaped capsule that cannot be brushed off easily. The shell’s surface may appear smooth or slightly ridged, and the interior often shows a darker, developing embryo.

The presence of nits confirms an active infestation. Unlike shed eggs, which are loose and fall off, attached nits indicate that a female louse has laid eggs that are still maturing on the scalp. Therefore, any firmly attached nit signals that live lice are present and reproduction is ongoing.

Key points for reliable identification:

Location: behind the ears, at the neck base, and along the hairline.
Attachment: firmly glued to the shaft, not easily removed by combing.
Color progression: from pale yellow (fresh) to darker brown (mature).
Size and shape: uniformly oval, consistent with the dimensions above.

Accurate detection relies on visual inspection of these characteristics; finding attached nits should trigger immediate treatment to eliminate the infestation.

Ease of Removal

Lice eggs, commonly called nits, adhere tightly to hair shafts near the scalp. The cement‑like substance that binds them makes removal more challenging than pulling a loose hair.

The difficulty of extraction depends on several factors:

Location on the strand – Nits attached within ¼ inch of the scalp are less accessible because the hair is thicker and the cement is freshest.
Hair type – Straight hair allows the comb to glide more smoothly, while curly or coily hair can trap the comb, increasing effort.
Age of the nit – Freshly laid eggs have stronger adhesive bonds; older nits may loosen after a few days, easing removal.

Effective removal requires a fine‑toothed nit comb, a conditioner or detangling spray to reduce friction, and systematic, repeatable strokes from the scalp outward. A typical protocol:

Apply conditioner to damp hair, let it sit for one minute.
Section the hair into manageable sections.
Starting at the scalp, run the nit comb through each section, pulling the comb downwards to lift the egg off the shaft.
After each pass, wipe the comb on a tissue and re‑apply conditioner as needed.
Repeat the process until no visible nits remain.

Mechanical removal alone may leave some eggs embedded in the cuticle; a second‑generation pediculicide applied after combing can eliminate residuals. Consistent daily combing for a week, combined with proper hygiene, reduces the likelihood of reinfestation and shortens the overall removal timeline.

Risk of Transmission

Lice eggs, or nits, attach firmly to hair shafts close to the scalp, making them difficult to remove and a common source of infestation spread among children. Transmission occurs primarily through direct head‑to‑head contact, which transfers viable nits or newly hatched nymphs to the recipient’s hair. Secondary routes include sharing personal items such as combs, hats, helmets, or pillowcases that have come into contact with contaminated hair.

Physical proximity: Classroom activities, sports, and sleepovers increase the likelihood of head contact.
Shared accessories: Items that rest on the head or touch hair serve as vectors for eggs and lice.
Inadequate hygiene practices: Failure to regularly clean or replace personal grooming tools sustains the infestation cycle.
Delayed detection: Early stages of an outbreak often go unnoticed, allowing eggs to hatch and spread before treatment begins.

Effective control requires prompt identification of nits, immediate removal, and strict avoidance of shared hair‑contact objects until the infestation is resolved.