How to distinguish nits from dandruff - tips that will prevent you from making mistakes

When faced with excessive peeling of the scalp for the first time, a person may mistake the keratinized particles of the epidermis for lice eggs and be treated incorrectly. Doctors and cosmetologists know best how to distinguish dandruff from nits, so consulting a specialist will not be superfluous. However, there are effective ways to deal with the problem at home.

Dandruff is often confused with lice because both diseases often have the same symptoms.

What is dandruff

Dandruff is the excessive shedding of the top layer of the scalp over a long period of time. This is not an independent pathology, but a syndrome that develops due to certain disorders in the body. It appears as white, oily flakes of dead skin of varying sizes and shapes dotting the hair and shoulders. It is not contagious and does not entail dangerous consequences.

The epidermis (upper layer of skin) is constantly renewed - this is the norm. However, in a healthy body this happens almost unnoticeably, and under the influence of some unfavorable factors, the degree of peeling increases many times over. And we’re not just talking about diseases - dandruff can be caused by:

• • shampoo that is not suitable for the hair type (dries out the scalp);
• • non-compliance with personal hygiene rules (rarely washing hair);
• • poor nutrition (excess fatty and sweet foods in the diet);
• • sudden change in ambient temperature;
• • prolonged exposure to direct sunlight;
• • aggressive products used for dyeing or curling hair.

However, most cases of dandruff are a sign of general ill health in the body. A fungus, Pityrosporum ovale, always lives on human skin, an increase in the number of which leads to the rapid death of the epidermis and its exfoliation.

Factors that stimulate fungal growth:

• • seborrheic dermatitis (more common among men (since the work of the sebaceous glands is determined by the “male” hormone - testosterone), debuts mainly in adolescence;
• • psycho-emotional stress;
• • chronic infectious diseases;
• • immunodeficiencies;
• • disturbances in the functioning of the endocrine system;
• • hypovitaminosis;
• • heredity.

Sometimes, when first faced with the problem of excessive peeling of the skin, a person confuses it with lice. Let's consider what kind of pathology this is, so that we can then figure out how to distinguish dandruff from lice

Other diseases from the group Infectious and parasitic diseases:

What is pediculosis

This is a parasitic disease caused by a louse. Only one type of pathogen lives on the scalp - the head louse (Pediculus humanus capitis). It is a wingless insect measuring 2-3 mm that cannot jump or fly. It holds tightly to the hair thanks to the claws on its legs, moves quickly, feeds exclusively on blood: pierces the scalp with its mouthparts, sucks out the blood.

A louse bite often goes unnoticed because a special anesthetic substance gets into the wound with the insect's saliva. Itching occurs only in every 5th patient, and not immediately, but after some time.

Life cycle of a parasite

A sexually mature female louse lays 3-8 eggs daily - nits, gluing them with one end to the hair root near the scalp with a special substance. The nit looks like an oval formation up to 1 mm in size, with a cap. After 7-9 days, a larva emerges from the nit, which after another 8-10 days reaches sexual maturity and can lay eggs on its own. An adult lives up to 28 days

It is interesting to know that after the larva emerges from the egg, its shell remains attached to the hair, but is already empty. Since the hair is continuously growing, and the development of the embryo in the egg lasts about a week, empty eggs are not found near the skin itself, but at a distance of 1-3 cm from it.

Distinctive characteristics

It is not very difficult to distinguish nits from dandruff. You just need to provide good lighting (it is better to use a lamp to direct the light flux in the desired vector), arm yourself with a fine-toothed comb and, preferably, a magnifying glass. Take half an hour of free time to make sure that you are not infected with parasites.

By location

Nits are located at a distance of 1–3 cm from the hair roots. Since high temperatures are required for the offspring to mature, female lice instinctively lay eggs in warm areas - on the back of the head, behind the ears. Dandruff is located throughout the hair.

By type, size

The appearance of nits resembles whitish oval-shaped balls. They have a light gray and even brown tint. Dandruff, in turn, has a color close to white. The peeled scales always have different sizes, but the nits are almost the same.

Nits are elongated white translucent capsules.

By itch

Itching is a companion to both diseases, but with dandruff it is not felt so clearly. If there are nits and lice, a person scratches his head vigorously, one might say, until he bleeds.

By sound

Sound makes it possible to distinguish living nits from non-living ones. If you press your fingernail on the capsule in which the insect is located, you can hear a clear cracking sound. This way you can check for parasites.

By combing

So nits or dandruff? You can find out very easily. Dandruff can be easily combed out with a regular comb, but nits are difficult to remove from hair in this way, since they are firmly glued to it.

In count

The scalp always flakes off in large quantities, which is why you may notice a large amount of dandruff. Nits usually appear in small quantities. Only if you are too infested with lice can you see a significant number of capsules.

According to the intensity of the discomfort experienced

Both trichological pathologies are accompanied by unpleasant sensations. Itching is also a faithful companion to neurosis and allergies. Sometimes it is impossible to determine what exactly is happening to the head without a good specialist.

Trichologists believe that dandruff is accompanied by less intense, intense itching. The head does not always itch, and not as violently as with the development of lice. There are no strong scratches, and there are no specific crusts either.

If a person is attacked by lice, then he scratches his head almost constantly. Against this background, he develops nervous disorders and sleep is disturbed. In 40% of cases, bloody scratches are present.

There is another reliable method of identification - sound, with which you can distinguish a dead pest from a living one. Having found the capsule, you need to press on it with your fingernail. If there is a live bloodsucker in it, the person will hear a clear crackling sound. Dandruff never cracks.

Conditions of existence

Lice feel comfortable at a temperature of 28-30°C - they move quickly, suck blood every 2 hours, and lay eggs. When the temperature drops to 20°C, the vital processes of the insect slow down, but the individuals do not die. When the temperature drops to 10°C and below, they cannot exist and leave the host’s body. They do not live outside humans either - fasting for 2 days leads to the death of the parasite. High (more than 30°C) and low (-20°C or less) temperatures will help destroy insects.

Which doctors should you contact if you have Pediculosis (lice):

Dermatologist

Is something bothering you? Do you want to know more detailed information about Pediculosis (lice), its causes, symptoms, methods of treatment and prevention, the course of the disease and diet after it? Or do you need an inspection? You can make an appointment with a doctor - the Eurolab clinic is always at your service! The best doctors will examine you, study external signs and help you identify the disease by symptoms, advise you and provide the necessary assistance and make a diagnosis. You can also call a doctor at home. The Eurolab clinic is open for you around the clock.

How to contact the clinic: Phone number of our clinic in Kyiv: (+38 (multi-channel). The clinic secretary will select a convenient day and time for you to visit the doctor. Our coordinates and directions are listed here. Look in more detail about all the clinic’s services on its personal page.

Transmission routes

There is only one method of transmission of lice - through direct contact of the hair of an infected person with the hair of a healthy person, the insect changes its host. Previously, it was believed that the sharing of personal hygiene items (comb, hair ties, hats) played an important role in the spread of the disease; today it has been proven that the frequency of cases of such transmission is negligible, and the only thing that matters is sleeping in the same bed on shared bedding, using a shared pillowcase.

Children of preschool and primary school age are more likely to suffer from head lice - there are many known cases where parents discovered lice on a child who had just returned from kindergarten.

Symptoms of lice

The main symptom of the disease is the actual presence of adult insects and eggs in the hair. Lice “live” mainly in the temporal and occipital regions, that is, where the hairline is most developed.

• • In some cases (from 18 to 34%), parasite bites are accompanied by itching, which occurs as a result of saliva containing allergic components entering the bloodstream.
• • A person, trying to get rid of itching, scratches the skin, after which marks remain, often covered with bloody crusts.
• • Redness and papules are found at the sites of bites (the so-called “papular urticaria”)
• • If the process lasts for a long time, signs of chronic dermatitis or eczema appear.

If there are a lot of lice, the active processes of their life activity lead to the formation of a “tangle”, which appears due to the gluing of hair with serous-purulent exudate released from the bite sites.

Differences in Concepts

Dandruff

• malfunctions of the sebaceous glands, which leads to disturbances in the processes of peeling of the upper keratinized layer of the scalp;
• excessive dryness of the skin;
• the vital activity of the fungus (oval pityrosporum), which actively multiplies due to malfunctions of the sebaceous glands and causes severe peeling of the skin.

The active activity of microorganisms can also be a consequence of a lack of vitamin B, chronic diseases, stress, mental disorders, metabolic disorders, and wetting of hair when combing.

Seborrhea

• the appearance of small scales on the strands;
• severe flaking of the scalp, which is accompanied by itching;
• a decrease in the brightness of the color of the curls and their acquisition of excessive gloss;
• hair loss;
• an increase in the number of white grains due to a more intense process of keratinization of the dermis as a result of the lack of proper treatment;
• the spread of dandruff to the eyebrows and interlash space at an advanced stage of the pathology.

• Dry
  . Appears on dry skin as a result of insufficient production of natural subcutaneous fat. White “powder” directly falls out of the hair when combing or the slightest movement. A person suffers from a feeling of skin tightness, itchy scalp, dry hair and split ends.
• Fat
  . In this case, the white scales stick together and cause severe itching. 2-3 hours after washing your hair, your hair still looks dirty and dull. Unlike dry dandruff, oily dandruff is hardly noticeable. When the skin is extensively damaged, the scales flake off and damage the hair, which can cause it to fall out. Oily dandruff occurs as a result of excessive sebum production and the proliferation of a fungal infection.

Nits

• oblong shape with a cap at the base;
• white-gray color;
• size about 1 mm.

Unsightly cocoons cannot be washed off by regular hair washing, since the sticky substance guarantees their secure hold. Moreover, it will be difficult to remove them even with your fingernails.

• millimeter grains are visible on the head, which resemble dandruff;
• severe itching is felt in the area where the capsules are located;
• hair seems dirty even after washing.

1. Nits
   . During one inspection, on a head affected by lice, you can find from 50 to 100 eggs leading an independent lifestyle. Their incubation period is 5-8 days from the moment the insects mate. The temperature for their ripening should be high - about 30-35°C.
2. Larva
   . Inside the shells there are dark formations - larvae, which develop over 14 days. As soon as they mature in the shell, they begin to gnaw through their cocoon and get out. When the parasite leaves, the shell does not dissolve and continues to be on the strands. So, if the necessary measures are not taken in time to destroy the bloodsuckers, you can end up with a 4 mm snowball on your head. In extreme cases, serious infections develop.
3. Louse
   . This is an adult that sucks human blood, actively mates and lays about 4 eggs called nits every day. Lice are small insects whose body length is no more than 4 mm. They can cause the spread of pediculosis, which will rapidly progress due to the rapid reproduction of parasites.

All age groups are susceptible to head lice, but it is more often observed in children and adolescents. With severe infestation, parasites can also be localized on the eyebrows, mustache or beard. This condition cannot be ignored, since pediculosis is contagious and is easily transmitted through household contact.

How to distinguish dandruff from lice

For a person who has no information and is faced with such a problem for the first time, skin flakes and nits are practically indistinguishable. Let's try to figure out how lice eggs differ from dandruff...

1. 1. The exfoliated epidermis is located along the entire length of the hair, and nits are located exclusively at its base and 1-2 cm from the skin, since this is where the temperature optimal for their existence and development is maintained.
2. 2. The size and shape of dead epidermal scales varies widely from fractions of a millimeter to entire layers, while louse eggs are all the same size - about 1 mm, and have an ovoid shape.
3. 3. You can easily shake dandruff from your hair, but the nit is attached to it with an adhesive substance, so you will have to make an effort to remove it.
4. 4. When you squeeze the egg with your fingers, you will hear a clicking, bursting sound, which is not typical for peeling elements.
5. 5. When washing your hair, dandruff is removed from the surface of the skin and hair without any residue, while the parasite eggs remain firmly attached to their original places. The same goes for combing: the exfoliated epidermis is removed with a comb, but nits are not.

Oil therapy

Seborrhea can be treated with various oils. They contain vitamins, anti-inflammatory substances and will help, if not forever, then for a long time, they will help get rid of the unpleasant problem.

Healthy oils:

Burdock. This unique oil, which is used to strengthen hair, will also help cope with snow on your head. To do this, you need to make masks 2 times a week. The oil is heated in a water bath or in a microwave oven and applied to the scalp, and so that the hair receives vitamins and other beneficial substances, the remainder is distributed along the length. Leave for about an hour and wash off. Tea tree oil

There is no need to make masks from it, just add a few drops of the product to shampoo and wash your hair, paying special attention to the skin. It is advisable to make an anti-dandruff remedy immediately before use. Coconut

It has a good antibacterial effect and helps cope with many problems and diseases of the scalp. It is also recommended to make masks. Can be mixed with other ingredients: honey, lemon, herbal decoctions. Sea buckthorn. Contains vitamins and minerals beneficial for the scalp and hair. You can mix it with other oils and make masks. Goes well with natural olive oil. Promotes skin renewal, improves its condition and relieves dry seborrhea. Linseed oil. It removes scales from the skin well and cleanses it. Unlike other oils, it washes off well the first time and does not leave a greasy sheen. To obtain a positive and lasting result, it is recommended to make masks at least 3 times a week.

Before making masks, the oils need to be heated and applied warm to the roots. Be sure to wear a cellophane cap. For a better result, you can heat the top with a hairdryer on a hot setting, then the product will better penetrate the skin pores.

Can you have dandruff and lice at the same time?

For some reason, many people believe that one person must suffer from either dandruff or lice. It is important to understand that no, this is not true - these conditions can be detected simultaneously, for example:

• • the young man could well suffer from seborrheic dermatitis and become infected with pediculosis from his sister, who returned from the garden;
• • a child with undetected lice developed dandruff after washing his hair with shampoo that was not suitable for him and dried out the scalp.

So yes, dandruff and lice can be on the same head, at the same time.

Main methods of treatment

Treatment of this disease is etiotropic, that is, it is aimed at destroying lice at all stages of development. It is comprehensive and includes 3 methods:

• • mechanical (sometimes used independently if only single lice are found in the hair; it consists of combing out parasites and their eggs from hair that has been previously washed and treated with a solution of table vinegar with a fine comb over oilcloth or white paper; children, especially boys, are sometimes shaved bald or cut short , but today this is inappropriate, since other - effective and gentle - treatment methods have been developed);
• • physical (kill lice by exposure to temperature: wash bed linen in hot water or iron with a hot iron);
• • chemical (use special insecticidal agents in the form of shampoos, lotions, aerosols).

Useful tips

Since lice and dandruff are somewhat similar, it is recommended to consult a dermatologist to determine the existing disease. Treatments for head lice and increased skin exfoliation vary.

In the first case, the use of antiparasitic agents, which include insecticides, is required.

The second requires skin hydration and nutrition. If there is a dermatological disease, for example, seborrhea, the use of appropriate medications is required.

The recommendation is the same for both cases: if white scales are detected, you should immediately contact a specialist.

Effective treatment

A highly effective modern treatment for pediculosis is “Paranitis”. The basis of this drug is made up of 2 components: dimethicone and mineral oil. Both substances are widely used in cosmetology and pharmacology and are also deadly for lice. The components of “Paranite” are distributed over the surface of the hair, envelop it and clog the openings of parasites and their eggs through which they breathe, as a result of which both lice and nits quickly die. This anti-pediculosis product is available in different forms: lotion, spray and shampoo. It has an oily consistency and does not run off the surface of the hair.

For use in children over 1 year of age, pregnant and lactating women, a special form of the drug has been developed - “Paranite Sensitive”, which acts carefully and gently. To achieve maximum effect, it is important not to skimp on the product, but to apply it generously to each strand - this will not leave the insects any chance of survival.

It is important to know that lice do not develop resistance to “Paranite” - repeated application will be as effective as the first.

Having the modern drug “Paranit” in your arsenal, you don’t have to be afraid of lice.

How to tell if a parasite has hatched from an egg or not

Understanding whether a nit is dead or alive is very important. It depends on whether you need to re-treat the head with anti-pediculosis agents or not.

The following distinctive features are distinguished:

• a dead nit, unlike a living one, has a less convex shape;
• the surface of the shell of a dead nit does not shine; it is dull and faded;
• when a dead nit is crushed there is no characteristic click;
• When examining a nit under a microscope, a living nit has a clearly visible larva inside, while a dead one does not.

IMPORTANT! If there are live nits, after some time it will be necessary to re-use the medications, since they have practically no effect on nits. You have to wait until the lice hatch.