Which is better – lice or nits? - briefly
Adult lice cause the immediate symptoms and health risks, so removing them is the priority. Effective treatment must also eradicate the eggs to prevent reinfestation.
Which is better – lice or nits? - in detail
Lice are adult parasites that move across the scalp, feed on blood, and cause itching through saliva injection. Nits are the eggs laid by these insects, firmly glued to hair shafts and invisible to the naked eye in many cases.
Biologically, lice complete their life cycle in three stages: egg (nit), nymph, and adult. An adult can live up to 30 days on a host and lay 6–10 eggs per day. Nits hatch after 7–10 days, after which the emerging nymph begins feeding immediately.
From a clinical perspective:
- Adults produce visible irritation, can be observed moving, and are responsible for immediate transmission.
- Nits remain attached after the adult dies, serving as a reservoir for future infestation if not removed.
- Detection of live lice is straightforward with a fine-tooth comb; nits require magnification or specialized tools.
Treatment strategies differ:
- Pediculicides target the nervous system of moving insects; effectiveness diminishes against dormant eggs.
- Mechanical removal (combing) eliminates both stages but demands multiple sessions to cover the hatching period.
- Heat or steam treatments destroy nits by denaturing proteins, while having limited impact on live lice.
Overall, adult parasites present a more acute problem due to immediate symptoms and contagiousness. Nits represent a longer‑term risk because they survive treatment that spares eggs, leading to reinfestation. Effective management must address both stages; focusing solely on one leaves the other capable of perpetuating the cycle.