How to Tell if a Nit Is Alive

Nits are tiny eggs that female lice lay at the base of hair shafts. Because they are so small, nits can easily be mistaken for dandruff or residue from hair products. The difference is that a nit will be firmly glued to the hair shaft, making it difficult to remove. In order to determine whether a nit is alive or has already hatched, you will need to use a magnifying glass.

Things You'll Need

• Comb
• Magnifying glass

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Instructions

• 1

  Use a fine-toothed comb to go through the hair carefully. Look for small bumps near the base of the hair shaft. When you find one, look at it through a magnifying glass. If what you see is a nit, it will be smooth, oval-shaped and attached directly to the hair shaft.

• 2

  Look at the color of the nit. When nits are freshly laid, they are white. They turn brown just before they hatch. After it has hatched and no longer contains a living louse, the nit will have a transparent appearance.

• 3

  Notice where on the hair shaft the nit is located. If a nit has not yet hatched, it will be no more than 1/4 inch away from the scalp. If you find a nit that is farther up the hair shaft, it is likely old and has already hatched.