[Last Modified: ]
[Pediculus humanus capitis]

Nit drawing.

Nits are head lice eggs.  They are hard to see and are often confused for dandruff or hair spray droplets.  Nits are laid by the adult female and are cemented at the base of the hair shaft nearest the scalp.  They are 0.8 mm by 0.3 mm, oval and usually yellow to white.  Nits take about 1 week to hatch (range 6 to 9 days).  Viable eggs are usually located within 6 mm of the scalp.