The Facts
Pediculus humanus capitis, is a parasitic insect that can be found on the head and, in rare cases, the eyebrows and eyelashes of people. Head lice feed on human blood several times a day and live close to the scalp to maintain their body temperature.
Egg/Nits
These are lice eggs laid by the adult female louse at the base of the hair shaft near the scalp. The eggs are firmly attached to the hair shaft , are oval-shaped, extremely small and hard to see. Eggs vary in colour from clear to light brown to yellowish-white. They are often confused with dandruff, scabs, or hair spray droplets. Eggs are usually located no more than 0.635 cm from the base of the hair shaft.
Nymphs
A nymph is the immature louse that has recently hatched from the egg. Nymphs look like adult lice, but are smaller. Like adult lice, nymphs must feed regularly on human blood.
Adults
The fully grown adult louse is about the size of a sesame seed, has six legs, and is tan to grayish-white in colour. To survive, adult lice must feed on blood. An adult head louse can live about 30 days on a person’s head, but will die within 24-48 hours if it falls off a person or is removed.
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