How Do Head Lice Eggs Look Like?
WouterIf you suspect your child may have head lice, you can look for nits in their hair. These tiny oval eggs are usually a yellowish-white color and firmly attached to the hair shaft. They may contain an empty egg casing, dead lice embryos, or both. If you spot a nit, you should seek treatment for head lice.
These eggs can be difficult to spot in children, especially if they have long hair. This is why it is important to inspect hair carefully for the presence of head lice. A live louse can be difficult to spot, so look closely if you think you see a louse on a child’s hair. The adult head louse is the size of a sesame seed and has six legs with small claws. If you see one of these, remove it as soon as possible.
If you see nits in a hair follicle, you most likely have head lice. They look like tiny sesame seeds with legs. These bugs live on the scalp within the first quarter-inch of hair. The nits are firmly attached to the hair shaft, so if you see them any further away from the scalp, they are probably hatched lice.
Using a fine-tooth comb is the most effective way to inspect hair for lice. Comb the scalp in small sections and wipe the comb with a paper towel or tissue. If you still suspect that your child has lice, contact a nurse or doctor. They can prescribe a topical solution that kills lice and their eggs.
