How do lice eggs look on a child's hair? - briefly
Lice nits are tiny, oval‑shaped eggs about 0.8 mm long, appearing white, yellowish, or translucent, and firmly glued to the hair shaft near the scalp. They are most visible close to the roots, especially behind the ears and at the nape of the neck.
How do lice eggs look on a child's hair? - in detail
Lice nits are tiny, oval‑shaped capsules measuring about 0.8 mm in length and 0.3 mm in width. Their shells are smooth, slightly curved, and adhere firmly to each hair shaft about ¼‑inch from the scalp, where temperature is optimal for development. The color varies with age: newly laid eggs appear white or translucent, resembling tiny beads of glass; as they mature, they turn yellowish‑brown and become more opaque.
Key visual characteristics:
- Size – comparable to a pinhead; visible only with magnification or close inspection.
- Shape – elongated, tapered at one end, giving a “cigar” silhouette.
- Attachment – glued to the hair cuticle with a cement‑like substance; removal without breaking requires specialized tools.
- Location – most often found behind the ears, at the nape of the neck, and along the sideburns; less common on the crown or front hairline.
- Texture – smooth surface, lacking the flaky, powdery appearance of dandruff; does not flake off when brushed.
Distinguishing nits from other debris:
- Dandruff – flakes are white, powdery, and easily dislodged; they do not remain attached to individual hair shafts.
- Hair spray residue – may appear glossy and irregular, not uniformly oval.
- Sebum crusts – thicker, yellowish, and often clumped together.
When inspecting a child's scalp, use a fine‑toothed comb on wet, conditioned hair, then examine the comb teeth under a bright light. Look for the described oval capsules firmly attached near the scalp. Their presence confirms an active infestation and indicates the need for targeted treatment.