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:

What are Head Lice and Nits?

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. 

Does Hair Bleach Kill Lice and Nits?

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. 

Does Disinfectant Kill Lice and Nits?

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. 

Why Are There Visible Nits but No Lice?

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.

1. Lice are excellent at scurrying and hiding — they may flee from light during your inspection, attempting to hide in crevices near the ear or nape of the neck
2. Lice have fallen off — and are now in your carpet, furniture, or other household surfaces
3. The nits present are actually dead and have not yet been removed — Nits are exceptionally hard to remove from the hair, and dead eggs can be difficult to comb out completely after an infestation has been eradicated.

What Are The Best Treatments Available For Nits?

Lice spread can happen quite fast, but there’s no need to panic. Here are several methods you can try:

1. Comb - A traditional way of eradicating nits on your hair using a special fine-toothed comb designed to remove nits and lice. Wet combing is also advisable when doing so. 
2. Non-toxic Treatment - Most lice treatments use harsh chemicals that can be toxic to the user, especially children. A non-toxic lice treatment that uses natural ingredients to effectively and completely get rid of lice and nits is always a better choice to ensure the safety of you and your family. 
3. Maintenance Solution - To help avoid reinfestation of lice and nits. Licefreee Shampoo is the best maintenance solution. Use after removing nits and lice with Licefreee Spray Head Lice Treatment— this combo is fast, eradicates infestations, and helps keep lice at bay. 
4. Surface Cleaning - A thorough clean is crucial to make sure there aren’t any lice and nits left on the surfaces of your house or on the clothing of your children. Licefreee Home spray uses a naturally occurring chemical found in orange peel oil, called d-limonene. To kill lice by contact, simply spray the surface until visibly wet and allow it to air dry.

Trust the Best

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!