What do lice and nits look like on a child's head? - briefly
Adult head lice are 2–3 mm, gray‑brown, wingless insects that move rapidly on the scalp, typically near the hairline, behind the ears, and at the nape of the neck. Their eggs, called nits, are 0.8 mm, oval, and cemented to hair shafts, appearing as white or yellowish dots close to the scalp.
What do lice and nits look like on a child's head? - in detail
Lice that infest a child's scalp are tiny, wing‑less insects about 2–3 mm long. Their bodies are flat, elongated, and covered with a translucent exoskeleton that may appear gray, brown, or slightly reddish depending on blood meals. The head bears a pair of antennae roughly one‑quarter the body length, and six legs end in clawed tarsi that cling tightly to hair shafts. Adult specimens move quickly, often seen crawling near the hairline, behind the ears, and at the nape of the neck.
Nymphs are immature lice that have not yet reached full size. They measure 1–2 mm, share the same body shape, and display a lighter, almost translucent coloration. Nymphs are less mobile than adults but can still be observed moving among hair strands, especially after a recent infestation.
Nits are the eggs laid by adult females. Each nit is oval, about 0.8 mm long, and firmly attached to the hair shaft at a shallow angle of 30–45°. The shell is smooth, glossy, and varies from white to yellow‑brown. A viable nit contains a visible embryo, often seen as a tiny dark spot near one end; unhatched eggs appear uniformly pale. Nits are typically found close to the scalp, where the temperature supports development, and are most common behind the ears, at the crown, and along the sideburns. When detached, nits become brittle and may fall off; attached nits remain rigid and do not move.
Key visual cues for identification:
- Size: Adult lice 2–3 mm; nymphs 1–2 mm; nits <1 mm.
- Color: Adults gray‑brown; nymphs translucent; nits white‑yellow.
- Position: Lice on hair shafts, especially near the scalp; nits firmly glued to shaft within ¼ inch of scalp.
- Movement: Adults and nymphs crawl rapidly; nits are immobile.
- Texture: Lice have a smooth, flattened body; nits feel hard and glossy, not flaky like dandruff.
Distinguishing lice from debris: Dandruff flakes are lightweight, easily dislodged, and lack attachment to the hair shaft. Lice and nits remain attached despite gentle combing, and nits do not crumble when pressed.