What Colour Are Head Lice Eggs?

Head lice eggs are tiny oval-shaped eggs. They are laid by the female louse and develop over seven to 10 days. They’re yellow or white in colour and are firmly attached to the hair shaft. Eggs can take up to a week to hatch, and the best time to find them is when they’re within one-fourth of an inch from the scalp.

The adult lice have six legs and can vary in colour from white to tan. Their body is about 2mm long. They have tiny, sharp claws that allow them to latch on to the hair. Adult lice live for about thirty days while they’re attached to the host, but can only survive one or two days without food.

In order to diagnose a head lice infestation, it’s important to identify the exact colour of the eggs. Eggs containing an embryo are brown, while empty shells are white to grey. It is important to remove any eggs that look suspicious. The more visible the eggs are, the more likely they’re from an infestation.

Some people are more susceptible to head lice than others. Those with blonde hair can see lice eggs better, which can make them easier to spot. Detecting lice eggs early means that they can be treated more easily.