Some individuals may have a large infestation without any pruritis. The adults lay eggs that attach to the hair shafts with the production of a glue substance. Pediculosis is rare in African Americans for unknown reasons. Hair loss may occur if there is secondary pyoderma. Also, secondary bacterial infection may lead to enlarged occipital and cervical lymph nodes.
Nits are very tenacious and difficult to remove from hair shafts.
After treatment, they are not able to transmit the infection although schools are often unwilling to allow children to return to school while nits are present. Combing with a fine tooth comb and going from outside toward the scalp may facilitate removal. Treatment of family members without infection usually is not indicated. Scabies Infection by the mite Sarcoptis scabiei leads to scabies. The infection is transmitted by contact with infected individuals.