Getting a Close Look at Nits
Nits are the tiny, oval-shaped eggs laid by lice. You may encounter nits if you or someone in your household has a lice infestation. Getting a close up view can help you identify them for treatment and prevention.
Appearance of Nits
Nits cling firmly to the base of hair shafts, most often on the nape of the neck or behind the ears. They are very small, measuring about 0.8 mm by 0.3 mm. Newly laid nits glisten translucent white to pale yellow.
As the nit develops and hatches, it becomes pearl-colored or pale gray. After hatching, the nit appears white and dry with its wider end facing down the hair shaft.
In a close up, you can spot the dark embryo shape inside a viable nit. You may also see the empty egg case of hatched nits stuck on hairs. The cement-like substance holding nits to hair shafts makes them difficult to remove.
Difference Between Nits and Dandruff
In a close up look, you’ll notice key differences between nits and dandruff flakes:
- Nits cling to hair strands alone while dandruff sheds from the scalp
- Nits remain firmly attached, not loose or easily brushed away
- The oval-shape and size differentiate nits from flaky dandruff
Dandruff pieces appear as shed skin cells without defined shape. Nits have a visible egg shape, embryo, and protective shell still encasing hair shafts after hatching.
Identifying Live vs. Dead Nits
It’s challenging but important to determine if nits are dead or still contain developing larva.
Viable nits, while tiny, offer some visible signs in a close perspective:
- Grey/yellow tint: Translucent with dark center spot
- Pearlescent sheen: Looks moist and glossy
- Firmly cemented: Stuck fast to hair, not loose
Meanwhile, a close inspection reveals these characteristics of hatched or dead nits:
- Opaque and chalky: Overly white, dry, and dull
- Visible larva exit hole: Tiny opening at one end
- Easily removed: Detaches from hair with gentle tug or brush
Empty nit casings cling to hair shafts, gradually fading over time. Live eggs must be fully removed to stop the lice life cycle.
Treating Nits: A Step-by-Step Guide
Discovering live head lice is unsettling. Take a breath - with the right approach, you can eliminate nits and get the situation under control.
Step 1: Confirm It’s Lice
Check for nits throughout the hair and scalp, especially behind ears and at the nape of the neck. Use a nit comb to help lift and trap lice while checking.
Before beginning treatment, a close perspective should confirm the presence of grayish nits glued at an angle to hair strands.
Step 2: Start Nit Loosening Treatment
It’s difficult to kill and fully remove nits. But loosening agents can dissolve the nit casing cement to dislodge them from hair shafts.
Apply an over-the-counter nit loosener gel or solution evenly across the scalp and throughout all hair. This will soften the adhesive holding shell casings to hair so you can remove them.
Step 3: Comb Out Nits
Use a fine-tooth nit comb to meticulously comb through the hair to extract loosened eggs. It's important to lift eggs up and off full strands of hair instead of just switching nits around.
Work in small sections to comb out every single strand. Having a close up view helps spot any viable nits missed.
Step 4: Second Nit Remove Treatment
After one thorough comb-through, apply more nit treatment gel. Let sit for 5-10 minutes then comb again. Repeat combing focuses on catching newly loosened nits or any eggs potentially missed on the first go.
Step 5: Wash Out Product
Shampoo multiple times after nit removal to fully rinse out all loosening product residue. Make sure to use a gentle, fragrance-free shampoo. Harsh chemicals could further irritate an already tender scalp.
Step 6: Extra Precautions
Take extra steps after treating nits to prevent a second infestation:
- Soak combs and brushes in hot, soapy water for 10 minutes
- Wash bedding, hats, and worn clothes in very hot water then dry on high heat
- Vacuum furniture and carpeting to capture stray nits
- Avoid shared hair items like brushes, towels, and helmets
Keep checking for recurrence and repeat removal combing if new nits reappear. Consistent nit removal and household cleaning will help gain control.
When to Seek Medical Care
While lice themselves don't pose severe health risks, secondary bacterial infections from excessive scratching might require medical treatment. Seek help right away if you notice:
- Skin sores or painful rashes from infections
- Swollen neck glands (signaling infection)
- Continued signs of reinfestation despite diligent effort
- Very resistant nits not responding to treatment
Prescription-strength medicated shampoos or oral medication could provide stronger nit and lice elimination in difficult cases. Don't hesitate to ask your doctor for extra assistance tackling an ongoing issue.
The Takeaway
Getting up close and personal with pesky lice eggs has its ick factor. But a nit is just a tiny, helpless egg relying fully on an accommodating hair host.
With consistent removal combing, treatment, and environmental cleaning, you can break the lice life cycle and send unhatched nits packing!
FAQs
How do I confirm it’s actually nits and not dandruff?
In a close perspective, nits have a defined oval shape, are glued at an angle to single strands of hair, and have a visible embryo if still viable. Dandruff appears as flaky skin cell clumps loosely shedding from the scalp.
What’s the best way to remove nits after treatment?
Carefully comb through sections of hair using a quality nit comb designed to lift eggs up and off full hair strands. Repeat combing ensures you catch all live nits.
How do I avoid reinfestation after nit removal?
Take extra steps like hot washing potentially contaminated items, vacuuming, avoiding shared hair accessories, and consistently checking heads for new nits.
Is there an oral medication to treat lice and nits?
Yes, prescription Ivermectin tablets can help eliminate lice and larva hatching internally. But combing efforts still need to remove remaining eggs attached to hair follicles.
Do nits ever go away on their own?
No. An empty nit casing stays secured to hair strands long after hatching. Relying on them to go away prolongs the opportunity for reinfestation. Remove all traces of nits, dead or alive, fully break the cycle.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new treatment regimen.
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