What do lice and nits look like on children's hair? - briefly
Adult head lice are tan‑to‑gray insects roughly the size of a sesame seed, moving swiftly on the scalp, and nits are tiny, oval, white‑or‑yellow eggs firmly glued to the hair shaft near the scalp.
What do lice and nits look like on children's hair? - in detail
Head lice are tiny, wingless insects measuring 2–4 mm in length. Their bodies are flattened laterally, allowing them to move easily through strands of hair. Color varies from gray‑white to brown, often matching the host’s hair shade, which can make them hard to spot. Live adults have six legs ending in claw‑like tarsi that grip each hair shaft. When visible, they appear as small, moving specks crawling near the scalp, especially behind the ears, at the nape of the neck, and along the hairline.
Nymphs are immature lice that have recently hatched. They are half the size of adults—approximately 1–2 mm—and exhibit a lighter, almost translucent hue. Like adults, nymphs cling to hair with their claws, but they move less quickly and are less likely to be noticed unless the hair is closely examined.
Nits are the eggs laid by adult females. Each nit is an oval, about 0.8 mm long, with a smooth, shiny surface. The shell is typically white or yellow‑white, sometimes taking on a gray tint after exposure to air. Nits are firmly cemented to the hair shaft about ¼ inch (6 mm) from the scalp; this proximity provides the warmth needed for embryonic development. The cement is a strong, protein‑based adhesive that resists removal by combing. A single nit may appear as a tiny, immobile bead attached at an angle to the hair, often resembling a grain of sand or a small, translucent bead.
Key visual differences between nits and dandruff or hair debris:
- Attachment: Nits are glued to the hair shaft and do not fall off easily; dandruff flakes are loose and can be brushed away.
- Location: Nits cluster close to the scalp, typically within 1 cm of the skin; dandruff may be dispersed along the entire length of the hair.
- Shape and texture: Nits are oval and have a smooth, slightly glossy surface; dandruff flakes are irregular, dry, and matte.
- Color: Fresh nits are white or pale yellow; older nits may turn grayish; dandruff is usually white or yellow but lacks the uniform oval shape.
Typical signs that accompany an infestation include:
- Persistent itching, especially after periods of inactivity (e.g., bedtime).
- A tickling or crawling sensation on the scalp.
- Presence of small, mobile insects upon close inspection.
- Clusters of attached eggs near the scalp.
Detecting lice and their eggs requires a systematic examination:
- Separate hair into small sections using a fine‑toothed comb or a lice detection comb.
- Pull each section away from the scalp and inspect the base for moving insects and attached ovals.
- Use a bright light or a magnifying lens to improve visibility.
- Remove any visible nits by gently scraping them off with a fine instrument or comb; discard them in sealed plastic.
Understanding these visual characteristics enables accurate identification and timely treatment.