How to distinguish lice from nits? - briefly
Live lice are small, mobile insects roughly the size of a sesame seed, while nits are immobile, oval eggs firmly attached to hair shafts and appear whitish or yellowish. Lice can be observed moving or crawling, whereas nits remain stationary until hatching.
How to distinguish lice from nits? - in detail
Lice are live insects that move actively on the scalp, while nits are their eggs, firmly attached to hair shafts. Recognizing the differences prevents misdiagnosis and guides appropriate treatment.
Live lice appear as gray‑brown, six‑legged bodies about 2–3 mm long. They can be seen crawling, especially near the neck and behind the ears. When disturbed, they may move quickly to a new hair strand. Nits are oval, about 0.8 mm in length, and have a smooth, white or yellowish appearance. They are glued to the hair close to the scalp, usually within ¼ inch from the skin, and do not shift position unless the hair is pulled.
Key visual distinctions:
- Mobility – Lice move; nits remain static.
- Color – Lice are darker; nits are translucent to white.
- Shape – Lice have a distinct body silhouette; nits are uniformly oval.
- Attachment – Lice sit loosely on hair; nits are cemented to the shaft.
- Location – Lice congregate in warm, protected areas; nits cluster near the scalp base.
Diagnostic steps:
- Part hair in small sections using a fine‑toothed comb.
- Examine each strand under adequate lighting.
- Identify any moving insects; confirm by gentle disturbance.
- Locate attached eggs; verify by their immobility and proximity to the scalp.
- Separate live lice from eggs by gently lifting the hair; live insects will detach, while nits remain attached.
Treatment implications differ. Live lice require immediate removal and insecticidal therapy, whereas nits must be mechanically eliminated using a nit comb or chemical ovicidal agents. Failure to distinguish the two can lead to persistent infestation despite treatment.