Answer to Case 339

Answer:  No parasite present; favor hair product residue. 


The structures shown in this case are an interesting mimic of Pediculus humanus capitis nits, but lack the well defined structures of a nit such as the tapered shape and operculum. The presentation is also a bit suspicious in this case, since the patient's perceived symptoms began only a few hours after her potential exposure (a shared hat).


Here is a representative image of this case as well as a true nit for comparison. 

As mentioned by Anon, fungal infection such as black or white Piedra are also in the differential, but have a different appearance and clinical presentation.