Typically, when you have nits, there is also the presence of (adult) lice. However you may not see lice when looking at the scalp, as they can be hard to find. They could have transferred to another host or have fallen through combing. However, the worst thing you can do is mistake dandruff for a nit and vice versa. To avoid this, here's what you need to know:
Head lice are tiny creatures that live on your scalp and feed on your blood, and nits are eggs from adult lice. Nits may appear white or yellow-ish and may look similar to dandruff upon first glance. Nits hatch and become Nymphs (adolescent lice).
Nymphs are newly hatched lice, also small and commonly tan in color. Nymphs mature and become lice — the adult form of lice that are larger than nymphs. Adult lice are about the same size as a sesame seed.
For years, people have been trying to kill lice by dying or bleaching their hair. The problem with this method is that it’s simply not an effective way to treat lice. Bleaching/dying your hair will not effectively kill lice because lice have the ability to protect themselves from bleach and many other harsh chemicals.
Disinfectants are known for killing germs and bacteria. However, they are not an effective or safe treatment when it comes to killing lice and nits. Although with the active ingredients present in disinfectants, they might be able to immobilize lice for a short period, but will not kill them, and can be harmful to the scalp and cause irritation, bleeding, and other contact-related dangers.
LIce infestation usually happens to children through close contact transfer and sharing personal items. Though rare, it is possible to only see nits and no lice. This is usually a sign of an early stage of infestation.
Visible nits indicate the presence of lice. However, if you find only nits on your hair, it is best to treat it right away, as there are likely adult lice somewhere on the scalp that you have not yet discovered, and this most likely means that these eggs will soon hatch into nymphs.
If you cannot find adult lice, but do see nits, it is possible that one of three scenarios are happening.
Lice spread can happen quite fast, but there’s no need to panic. Here are several methods you can try:
Although a case of lice is a common event, it’s never a pleasant one to experience. And while lice infestations are most common in children, anyone can get them, so whether it comes to protecting yourself or your loved ones, you want to make sure that you have the right tools to get the job done quickly and painlessly.
Licefreee is a safe, effective, non-toxic alternative to traditional lice shampoos containing chemical pesticides. In 1999, we launched our Original Non-Toxic lice treatment, Licefreee Gel, and have expanded our product line in the last two decades while still maintaining our reputation as one of the most trusted and reliable products on the market. If you or someone you know is dealing with head lice, don’t wait, pick up some Licefreee today!