Nits VS Lice

Head lice is a common problem, particularly in school-aged children. Although they are mostly harmless, they can be irritating and frustrating to deal with if they are not treated immediately. Untreated head lice can also lead to sickness through sores on the head that get infected. When you hear of head lice, you may wonder what the difference is between nits and lice. How do you differentiate them?

How to identify a nit

Nits are lice eggs that are found at the base of the hair shaft nearest to the scalp. The eggs can have a yellow or white appearance, but some live nits can appear to have the same color as the infested person’s hair. Nits are also oval-shaped and small in size. Oftentimes, nits are confused as dandruff, scabs, or hair spray droplets. They differ since they cannot be easily brushed away. 

What does lice look like?

Lice are the fully developed adult louse that comes from nits. Fully developed lice are about the size of a sesame seed and can be tan or grayish-white in appearance. Head lice survive by feeding off the blood on the scalp. While staying on the head, lice can live for around 30 days. If they were to fall off a person’s head, they would die within one to two days. 

Symptoms of Head Lice

Now knowing the difference between nits and lice, how do you know if you or a loved one has head lice? Common symptoms or signs of head lice are the feelings of something moving in the hair, and/or itching, irritability, and sores on the head caused by scratching. You can stop the spreading of head lice by catching them early on. If you notice you or your child experiencing any of these symptoms, it is important to go to a lice clinic immediately. Although head lice can only be spread by head-to-head contact, they are very contagious. 

Visit Lice Clinics of America in Anderson, SC to Get Treatment Today

If you are still unsure what lice look like, visit Lice Clinics of America Upstate SC to get help today. We can also offer information on the difference between nits vs lice. You can come in for a screening and consultation. Our team of experts will carefully screen the hair and scalp for any lice or nits. If we find any activity of head lice on the head or scalp we can help you to decide on an in-clinic treatment plan. Come to our clinic today for lice treatment in Anderson, SC. We also have a location in Greenville, SC. Call us today at 864-564-5354.