How to find out about lice eggs? - briefly
Examine the hair with a fine‑tooth nit comb on damp strands, then inspect the comb and scalp under bright light for tiny, oval, white‑to‑brown nits attached close to the roots. Presence of these firmly attached eggs confirms infestation.
How to find out about lice eggs? - in detail
Detecting lice eggs requires systematic examination of the scalp and hair. Use a bright, focused light source and a fine‑tooth lice comb (spacing 0.2–0.3 mm). Separate hair into small sections, pull each strand taut, and run the comb from the scalp outward. Nits appear as oval, white or yellowish bodies firmly attached to the hair shaft within ¼ inch of the scalp; they are often mistaken for dandruff but do not flake off easily.
Key visual cues:
- Size: 0.8 mm long, 0.3 mm wide.
- Shape: elongated oval with a smooth surface.
- Position: glued to the shaft, usually at a 45‑degree angle toward the scalp.
- Color change: white when unhatched, turning tan or brown after hatching.
To improve accuracy, follow these steps:
- Wet the hair with a spray bottle; moisture reduces slip and makes nits more visible.
- Place a dark cloth or black paper behind the hair to enhance contrast.
- Examine the entire head, focusing on the nape, behind ears, and crown—areas where eggs preferentially attach.
- Use a magnifying lens (10×–20×) or a smartphone macro attachment for close inspection.
- Record findings on a checklist to track progress during treatment.
Additional detection methods:
- Lice detection sprays containing a fluorescent dye illuminate eggs under ultraviolet light.
- Portable digital microscopes provide real‑time imaging and allow documentation of egg clusters.
- For infants or individuals with dense hair, a professional head lice inspection may be necessary.
After confirming the presence of eggs, inspect personal items (hats, hair accessories, bedding, towels) for attached nits. Wash washable items in hot water (≥ 50 °C) and dry on high heat; seal non‑washable items in airtight bags for at least two weeks to starve surviving lice.
Consistent daily combing for 10‑14 days, combined with appropriate treatment, eliminates both live lice and their eggs. Monitoring should continue until no nits are observed for three consecutive examinations.