Is It Dandruff or Lice?

Dealing with head lice is a pain and a hassle. Not only can it disrupt your weekly routine, but it is physically uncomfortable. If you know someone that recently contracted a case of head lice, it is perfectly normal to feel a little bit of paranoia that you may have gotten them too. Even reading about head lice is enough to have some people scratching their heads. Before you decide that you have a case of lice on your hands, it’s a good idea to go through other possibilities before you jump to any conclusions. Dandruff is perhaps the most mistaken thing for head lice. Small in size and related to irritated scalps, it’s easy to see how these things could get confusing. Here is everything you need to know to determine whether you have lice or dandruff.  

Dandruff vs Lice

Lice are tiny insects that feed on your blood and cause intense itching. While these small parasites are very small, dark in color, and look like small bugs, their eggs can look almost exactly like a flake of dandruff. Their eggs, called nits, look small, ovular, and white or yellow. Dandruff on the other hand is white, thin, flaky, and easy to comb out. Nits are much harder and do not comb out easily. While both lice and a dry scalp can cause irritation and itchiness, the itch caused by lice is much more intense and does not go away with scratching.

How to Spot the Difference

If you comb your hair and find something on the comb, you might ask yourself, “is it lice?” Thankfully there are a few things that could help you determine what it is that you’ve gotten out of your hair. For one, nits and lice are tightly attached to the roots of the hair and will not come out easily. Another good way to tell is by feeling the specks on your comb. If it is hard and oval-shaped, it is a nit, and if it is thinner and flaky, it is dandruff.

What Causes Dandruff and Lice?

Dandruff is caused by irritated skin, certain conditions such as eczema and psoriasis, and bad hair products. Whatever the case may be, a dry scalp is where dandruff comes from. Lice on the other hand can only be spread via direct head-to-head contact with someone that has lice already.

Charlotte Lice Treatment Clinics Near Me

If you discover that you have lice, do not hesitate to take care of them! Waiting will only make things worse. At Lice Clinics – Charlotte, our chemical-free AirTral head lice treatment can have you lice-free in just one appointment. If you have any questions about head lice or are a Charlotte resident seeking lice treatment, get in contact with us today at Lice Clinics in Charlotte, NC!