What do lice eggs look like in the head? - briefly
Lice eggs, known as nits, are tiny oval capsules about 0.8 mm long, appearing white or yellowish and firmly glued to a hair shaft near the scalp. They resemble specks of dandruff but cannot be removed by simple brushing.
What do lice eggs look like in the head? - in detail
Lice eggs, commonly called nits, are oval‑shaped structures measuring about 0.8 mm in length and 0.3 mm in width. Their shells are hard, translucent to white, and often appear slightly yellowish as they mature. When attached to hair shafts, they lie flat against the strand, held in place by a cement‑like secretion that hardens within minutes. This attachment makes them difficult to slide or lift without a specialized comb.
Key visual characteristics include:
- Shape: Smooth, elongated oval; edges rounded.
- Color: Initially pale, progressing to tan or brown as the embryo develops.
- Size: Roughly the thickness of a pinhead; visible to the naked eye at a distance of 10 cm.
- Placement: Typically found within 1 cm of the scalp, where temperature supports development; most often located behind the ears, at the nape, and along the hairline.
- Orientation: Positioned with the pointed end toward the scalp, the broader end away from it.
The cement that secures each egg creates a slight bulge on the hair shaft. This bulge can be distinguished from dandruff, which flakes off easily, whereas nits remain firmly attached. Under magnification, the shell may reveal faint ridges corresponding to the developing louse inside.
Understanding these details enables accurate identification and effective removal during treatment.