Where do head lice lay eggs? - briefly
Female head lice embed their eggs, called nits, onto the base of hair shafts within a few millimeters of the scalp. The attachment occurs primarily near the crown and behind the ears, where the temperature is optimal for development.
Where do head lice lay eggs? - in detail
Head lice deposit their eggs, known as nits, directly onto the hair shaft. The female uses a proteinaceous glue to attach each egg within a millimetre of the scalp, where body heat maintains optimal temperature for development. This proximity also ensures the nits remain firmly anchored as the hair grows.
Typical attachment sites include:
- The region behind the ears, where hair is dense and the scalp is warm.
- The nape of the neck, a protected area less exposed to sunlight and wind.
- The crown and top of the head, especially where hair is thick.
- The sides of the head, near the temples, where hair strands are tightly packed.
Eggs are usually positioned at an angle, pointing toward the scalp, and are found within the first few centimeters from the skin surface. The cement that secures the nit hardens within a few hours, making removal difficult without specialized tools. As the hair elongates, the nits are gradually carried farther from the scalp, eventually becoming visible as small, oval, white or yellowish shells. Their placement near the scalp is essential for the emerging nymphs, which require immediate access to blood meals upon hatching.