Lice Eggs, Head Lice
There is a lot of confusion out there when parents are checking their kids, and one thing that is especially hard for most people to identify is whether those little white things you find are Lice Eggs/Nits or Dandruff. First off, lice eggs and nits are the same thing, so that little bit of confusion can be combed away. No matter what the situation, most folks spend a good amount of time tearing their hair out, trying all kinds of remedys, whether over the counter or homeopathic, while others who feel they have an infestation will opt for a professional lice removal service. Whatever your end game, here are a couple things to keep in mind in the battle verse head lice and the question of dandruff vs lice eggs/nits.
Appearance
Lice eggs and dandruff are both indicated by tiny white particles in the hair and scalp, and can be mistaken for one another at a quick glance. Upon closer inspection, the differences are a bit easier to see, however many people still report having great difficulty confirming for sure without the help of a trained lice removal professional as it can be challenging both physically, logistically and psychologically to identify one’s own condition correctly.
Dandruff
Also called seborrheic dermatitis, is the flaking of your scalp skin. Dandruff scales can appear dry or oily, white or yellow-ish in color.
Head lice exist in three forms:
-eggs, also called “nits:” tiny white specks
-nymphs, or young adults: small, tan-colored insects hatched from nits
-adult lice: still extremely small, about the size of a sesame seed
Causes
The causes of dandruff and lice couldn’t be more different.
Lice are parasitic insects that crawl and spread to others through close contact. Lice can crawl onto clothing, bedding, towels, and personal items like combs and hair accessories.
Dandruff is a non-contagious inflammatory skin condition.
Buildup of shampoo on the scalp, excessively dry or oily skin, and autoimmune conditions like psoriasis are common causes of dandruff. Dandruff can be genetic, but you can’t “catch” it from your parents or siblings. It just means that members of the same family are more likely to have dandruff.
On the other hand, it’s very easy to get head lice from a family member who already has them or from anyone you come in head to head contact with.
Symptoms
Head lice and dandruff can cause symptoms in some people, while others don’t feel a thing. Itching is the most common symptom associated with both conditions. Lice feed on human blood and stay close to the scalp. The insects’ saliva is irritating, causing you to itch. You might also feel the sensation that something is moving around in your hair.
Dandruff can itch if your scalp is very dry. The most visible sign of both lice and dandruff is the presence of white specks in your hair. Dandruff is easy to comb out. Lice eggs or nits attach themselves firmly on your hair shaft and are more difficult to remove.
Recent proliferations of chemical-resistant super-lice in the USA have led more people suffering from lice-infestations to seek out natural, organic lice removal treatments. At the forefront of the organic lice treatment movement is San Diego based, Organic Lice Guru. In the 10+ years that owner Jessica Hart has been treating lice organically, she has developed a 99% success rate in removing every louse and nit from her clients with just one treatment, and she backs her service with a 100% lice-free guarantee.
For more on head lice read some head lice FAQs and/or watch the following video: