Body Louse or Head Louse Nit (Egg)

Found exclusively on humans; head lice live on the scalp/hair, while body lice live in the seams of clothing and move to the skin to feed.

Obligate hematophages; they feed exclusively on human blood several times a day.

Nits are glued to hair shafts or clothing fibers with a specialized cement. They cannot fly or jump and are transmitted through direct physical contact or sharing infested items like clothing or bedding.

Risks include intense itching (pruritus) and skin irritation. While head lice do not transmit disease, body lice can transmit serious diseases such as epidemic typhus, trench fever, and louse-borne relapsing fever. There are no ecological benefits.