How does a comb infested with lice look? - briefly
A comb that harbors lice will have tiny, translucent or brownish insects clinging to the teeth, often accompanied by small, white nits (eggs) attached firmly to the base of each tooth. The teeth may also be slick with a faint, oily residue from the insects' secretions.
How does a comb infested with lice look? - in detail
A comb that has become a habitat for head‑lice exhibits several unmistakable visual characteristics. The teeth are often covered with tiny, translucent ovals that cling tightly to the comb’s surface; these are the lice eggs (nits) cemented to the plastic or metal. In addition, live insects may be seen crawling between the tines, their bodies ranging from 2 to 4 mm in length, gray‑brown in color, and moving in a jerky, erratic fashion.
Typical observable details include:
- Nits: Oval, ivory‑white to yellowish, attached at an angle to the tooth, often appearing as a thin line of dots along the comb’s edge.
- Adult lice: Small, wingless insects with a flattened, elongated body; legs are visible as tiny protrusions, and the abdomen may show a darker hue after feeding.
- Debris: Accumulated hair, skin flakes, and dried blood that can give the comb a stained or gritty appearance.
- Discoloration: The comb’s original color may be dulled or mottled by the presence of bodily fluids and the oily residue left by the insects.
- Movement: When the comb is disturbed, live lice may scatter rapidly, clinging to nearby hair shafts or falling to the surface.
These signs collectively indicate that the comb is heavily infested and requires immediate decontamination.