In this article, we will dig deeper into lice vs. dandruff, their causes, symptoms to look for, treatment options, and the best ways to prevent their recurrence. Take a look!
What Is It: Head lice are a parasitic infestation of wingless insects or little bugs that feed on human blood. They lay eggs, called nits, which stick to the hair strands (3). They cause intense itching and scalp tickling.
Dandruff, or seborrheic dermatitis, is a common inflammatory skin condition that affects the scalp. It causes flaking, itching, and scalp aggravation (4). These flakes or white specks can form on both dry and oily scalps.
Contagion: Lice are contagious. They spread from human to human through hugging, using the same pillow or comb, or being in proximity.
Dandruff is not contagious.
Location: Lice eggs stick to the hair shaft. The viable nits are about 6 mm close to the hair follicle.
Dandruff flakes are closer to the scalp and are loose and flaky. Itdoes not stick to the hair strands unless you have an oily scalp or hair.
Shape: Lice nits are elongated and oval-shaped. They are brown to black.
Dandruff comprises irregular-shaped white/yellowish flakes of skin. These flakes could be small or big.
Growth: Lice suck on human blood and grow into adult lice quite rapidly if not treated. The eggs take a week to hatch. The hatched lice then suck on the blood to become adults.
Dandruff spreads on the scalp and leads to a concentrated appearance of flakes of skin throughout the head. The following comparison pictures can help you understand better.
Lice And Dandruff – In Pictures
What causes lice or dandruff? Let us understand the same in the following sections.
What Causes Lice?
Head lice infestation usually spreads through personal contact. Head to head contact or using the hats, scarves, caps of an individual with this parasitic infestation can cause head lice. The transfer of one female parasite is enough to cause a full-blown infestation within a week or two. Poor hygiene also may cause lice. Animals are not prone to lice, so you cannot get affected by your household pets or strays. Risk Factors: Girls and women generally tend to have longer hair. Hence, they are at a higher risk of contracting head lice than males.
What Causes Dandruff?
Many factors can cause dandruff. They include:
An extremely dry/oily scalp(4). An increase in the Malassezia fungus that naturally occurs on the scalp (4). Extreme weather conditions (4). Certain hair products and exposure to chemicals (4). Dandruff medications, such as ketoconazole. Stress and fatigue (4).
Risk Factors: Dandruff is more common in men as they have larger sebaceous (oil-producing) glands on their scalp. An unhealthy diet and nutrient deficiencies may also cause dandruff in both men and women.
Symptoms: How To Tell If You Have Lice Or Dandruff?
Flakes: If you have white flakes all over your shoulders and clothes, you have dandruff. White Specks: Inspect your hair strands closely. Elongated, oval-shaped, yellowish-white specks on your hair are lice nits. Pull Test: If you have to pinch the white specks and pull them hard to remove them, they are lice nits. Itchy Scalp: Does your head itch constantly? The irritation coming from a lice infestation is often way more intense than that caused by dandruff. The insects’ saliva irritates the scalp and results in severe itching. Dandruff over an oily scalp can suffocate it. Your nails will come away with grime under them whenever you scratch. Dandruff on a dry scalp produces scaly flakes. Wash Test: If washing your hair reduces the scalp irritation, you have dandruff. Comb Test: Comb your hair with a lice comb. Start from the nape of your neck and towards the front. Examine your comb after every stroke. If there are nits or lice in your hair, they will be caught in your comb.
You may also consider the following tips:
Get A Friend Or A Family Member To Help: Another person will have a better view of your scalp than you do. Get a family member or a friend to examine your scalp in certain sections to determine whether you have lice or dandruff. Ask them to focus on the hairlines and the nape and ear areas. Get A Professional Screening Done: You may also consult a professional screener. Get an appointment at your nearest lice treatment salon to get a screening done.
Merely knowing if you have lice or dandruff is not enough. You must take immediate steps to treat the condition. Scroll down to know more.
Treatment For Dandruff
Medicated Shampoo: Use a medicated shampoo to treat dandruff. These shampoos contain ketoconazole and selenium sulfide. Leave in the shampoo for about 5-10 minutes before rinsing. Shampoo your hair 2-3 times a week. Talk to a dermatologist to know which dandruff shampoo to use. Tea Tree Oil: Tea tree oil has anti-fungal and anti-bacterial properties. Add 10 drops of tea tree oil to a 250 ml bottle of a mild sulfate-free shampoo. Gently massage the scalp and leave the shampoo in for 15 minutes. Do this 2 to 3 times a week.
Note: Some people may have allergic reactions to tea tree oil. Do a patch test before using it.
Treatment For Lice
Medicated Shampoo: Get a medicated shampoo for treating lice. Such a shampoo contains pyrethrinsi XA group of naturally occurring chemical compounds with strong insecticidal properties that target insects’ nerve systems. /piperonyl butoxide. Apply it every alternate day and leave it on for 20 minutes. Wash off and apply a conditioner to retain your hair luster. Lice Kit: These kits come with anti-lice oil, shampoo, a conditioner, and an aerosol spray. These also contain pyrethrins/piperonyl butoxide, phenothrini XA non-corrosive, yellow-brown to pale yellow synthetic liquid that is used to kill insects like ticks and fleas. , permethrini XAn insecticide and drug used to treat lice and scabies. Usually available in cream or spray form. . Apply the oil or spray it to the scalp. Clip your hair up and cover with a shower cap. After 30 minutes, wash off with a lice shampoo. Use the conditioner. Lice Comb: Comb your hair with a lice comb 3 to 5 times a day to weed out as many lice as possible. Use it after you shampoo your hair as well. However, note that you will not be able to get rid of the lice eggs or nits with a comb. Lice Treatment Center: Lice treatment centers help treat lice.
Post treatment, it is important to prevent the recurrence of lice or dandruff. Take a look at the following section.
How To Prevent Dandruff And Lice From Recurring?
Wash your hair at least twice a week. Change your pillow cover once a week. Wash pillow covers, hats, and combs regularly. Avoid using someone else’s comb, pillow, scarf, or hat. If you have dandruff, apply coconut oil or shampoo mixed with tea tree oil. Keep your hair tied while traveling in public transportation.
When To See A Doctor?
You may need to see a doctor if none of the above methods work for you. If you have a sensitive scalp with constant irritation, you must immediately see a doctor. Head lice or dandruff can also weaken the hair roots and lead to hair loss or dull hair. Can you feel lice crawling? Yes, one can feel the lice crawling if there is a lice infestation. There will be a sensation of something moving or tickling on the head. Do lice like dry scalp? No. In fact, a dry scalp doesn’t support the growth of head lice. Can you squish lice? Although squishing lice is done by many, it is not a safe method as it may not be hygienic. One can instead use an anti-lice shampoo to kill the lice. Do lice bites look like pimples? No, lice bites may not look like pimples. They appear as small reddish or pink bumps. Do dead lice fall out of hair? Yes, dead lice and nits may fall out of hair after shampooing. Combing may also help in removing the dead lice. Does braiding hair help prevent lice? Yes, braiding, to a certain extent, may help prevent lice. Does a conditioner suffocate lice? Conditioner may not suffocate lice. However, it stuns the lice, which aids in their easy removal. Does hot water cause dandruff? Yes, hot water may cause dandruff. Washing the hair frequently with hot water may dry the scalp out and trigger dry skin dandruff.
