What do lice eggs look like on children's hair? - briefly
Lice eggs are tiny, oval, whitish‑yellow kernels firmly attached to the hair shaft close to the scalp. They resemble fine dandruff but remain stuck and are usually found within a few millimetres of the skin surface.
What do lice eggs look like on children's hair? - in detail
Lice eggs, commonly called nits, are oval‑shaped structures measuring approximately 0.8 mm in length and 0.3 mm in width. Their shells are translucent to light‑brown, becoming darker as the embryo develops. The surface is smooth, lacking the flaky texture of dandruff, and each egg is firmly glued to a single hair shaft by a cement‑like secretion.
Placement on the scalp follows a predictable pattern. Eggs are most often found within ¼ inch of the scalp, where the temperature supports embryonic growth. They cluster near the crown, behind the ears, and along the hairline. The attachment point is a tiny, clear attachment scar that can be seen when the hair is pulled taut.
Key visual cues for identification:
- Oval shape, not round or irregular.
- Size comparable to a grain of fine sand.
- Color progression: pale yellow → light brown → dark brown.
- Fixed position: does not shift when hair is brushed.
- Presence of a tiny white or clear attachment mark at the base.
Differentiation from dandruff or debris:
- Dandruff flakes are loose, easily removable, and have a powdery or scaly appearance.
- Nits remain attached despite vigorous combing.
- Dandruff lacks the distinct oval outline and attachment scar.
Effective detection methods:
- Use a fine‑toothed nit comb on dry hair, moving from scalp outward.
- Examine hair under magnification (10×–20×) to reveal the egg’s shell and attachment point.
- Separate strands and hold them against a contrasting background to enhance visibility.
Removal requires meticulous combing after applying a suitable pediculicide or a silicone‑based conditioner to loosen the cement. Re‑inspection after 7–10 days confirms eradication, as newly hatched nymphs will become visible if any eggs remain.