Techniques and apparatus for treating head lice infestations are described. Some embodiments include a nit (louse egg) detection plate that provides a surface against which irregularities of a hair of a person are more apparent to a viewer than without the detection plate. The detection plate may also include a serrated edge that is operable to separate hairs of the person for viewing over the detection plate. Other embodiments provide a method for using the detection plate to detect and remove nits from hairs of a person. The method may include placing a thin layer of hair of a person over the detection plate, detecting nits by viewing the hairs against a backdrop provided by the detection plate, and removing any detected nits.
