How to identify louse eggs? - briefly
Louse eggs, known as nits, are tiny (≈0.8 mm), oval, white‑to‑yellow shells that adhere tightly to the hair shaft near the scalp. They are difficult to dislodge and require a fine‑tooth comb for removal.
How to identify louse eggs? - in detail
Lice eggs, commonly called nits, are tiny, oval structures measuring about 0.8 mm in length. Their shells are hard, translucent to whitish‑gray, and often appear slightly yellowed after exposure to air. The surface may show a faint sheen, and a small, dark dot at one end marks the operculum through which the nymph emerges.
Typical attachment sites include the base of the hair shaft, about 1–2 cm from the scalp. Nits are cemented firmly to the cuticle, requiring a precise angle of the comb or finger to lift them. The most frequent regions are behind the ears, at the nape of the neck, and along the crown.
Effective detection relies on optimal lighting and magnification. A bright, direct light source eliminates shadows that can hide eggs. Handheld magnifiers (10–20×) or a smartphone camera with macro capability provide sufficient detail to differentiate eggs from other debris.
Distinguishing nits from dandruff, hair casts, or skin flakes involves several criteria:
- Attachment: Nits are glued to the hair shaft; dandruff and casts slip off easily.
- Shape: Nits are uniformly oval; dandruff particles are irregular and flaky.
- Color: Fresh eggs appear translucent; older ones become brownish. Dandruff is typically white or yellow.
- Location: Nits cluster near the scalp; dandruff is distributed along the entire hair length.
Confirmatory steps:
- Part the hair in 1‑cm sections using a fine‑tooth comb.
- Inspect each section with a magnifier, looking for the characteristic operculum.
- Gently pull suspected eggs; a true nit will resist removal and may break the cement.
- If uncertain, place the specimen on a white background and compare its translucency and shape to reference images.
Recommended tools include a stainless‑steel nit comb (spacing 0.2 mm), a portable LED lamp, and a 15× hand lens. Disposable gloves prevent cross‑contamination during examination.
Accurate identification prevents unnecessary treatment and facilitates targeted eradication strategies. Regular checks, especially after exposure to infested environments, ensure early detection and limit spread.