What is the difference between lice and nits? - briefly
Lice are the adult parasitic insects that feed on blood, while nits are the tiny, oval eggs they deposit on hair shafts. Nits hatch into nymphs, which mature into adult lice.
What is the difference between lice and nits? - in detail
Lice are wing‑less insects that live on the scalp or body hair of humans. Adult specimens measure 2–4 mm, have six legs, and feed on blood. Their bodies are flattened, allowing close attachment to hair shafts. Lice move actively, crawling and occasionally jumping short distances when disturbed.
Nits are the eggs laid by female lice. They are oval, about 0.8 mm long, and possess a cement‑like substance that adheres firmly to the hair shaft. The shell is translucent at first, becoming more opaque as the embryo develops. Nits do not move; they remain attached until the hatchling, known as a nymph, emerges after 7–10 days.
Key contrasts:
- Biological stage – lice refer to the mature, feeding insect; nits denote the embryonic stage encased in a shell.
- Mobility – lice are capable of locomotion; nits are immobile, fixed to hair.
- Visibility – live lice may be seen moving on the scalp or felt as a crawling sensation; nits appear as small, stationary specks close to the scalp, often mistaken for dandruff.
- Treatment focus – eradication requires insecticidal agents that kill live lice and ovicidal components that dissolve the cement holding nits. Mechanical removal (combing) targets both stages, but thorough nit removal is essential to prevent re‑infestation.
- Lifecycle timing – an adult female can lay 6–10 nits per day; each nit hatches into a nymph that matures into an adult within 9–12 days, restarting the cycle.
Understanding these distinctions informs effective control strategies: immediate elimination of adult insects reduces feeding damage, while systematic removal or destruction of eggs prevents resurgence.