Nits or dandruff? How to identify and treat
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The sight of small, white particles in the hair and on the scalp is a cause for concern for many people. Because these can be a sign of unwanted guests in addition to more harmless causes. So how do you recognize whether these are nits or dandruff? This article will show you.
Medically reviewed by Dr. Katharina Alder
Dr. Katharina Alder is a pharmacist specializing in dermatology. As CTO at RAUSCH, she is responsible for research and development and is an expert on medical questions regarding scalp and hair care.
Nits or dandruff? The differences at a glance
Your head itches and you discover small fluff in your hair – this can have various causes and therefore also require different solutions. However, whether you have nits or dandruff can usually be determined quickly based on some specific differences with a closer look. Here are the most important ones at a glance:
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Dandruff |
Nits |
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Typical locations |
distributed over the entire scalp and in the hair |
directly at the hairline (especially behind the ears, at the temples and on the nape of the neck) |
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Adhesion |
can be easily shaken off or combed out |
stick firmly to the hair |
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Shape |
irregular |
elongated-oval, clearly defined |
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Color |
white, yellowish or gray |
brownish, later transparent to whitish |
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Size |
very small and flaky |
clearly visible with the naked eye → approx. 0.8 mm |
What exactly are nits?
Nits are the chitin-containing egg shells of head lice – a definite indication of a head lice infestation. They stick firmly to the hair, usually near the scalp, and are visible to the naked eye. They are difficult to remove because they are attached to the hair shaft with a kind of cement substance.
Nits contain the larvae of head lice during their development. But even after the nymphs (the next developmental stage of the larvae) hatch, the empty egg shells still remain attached to the hair.
Would you like to learn which symptoms accompany a lice infestation? We have summarized for you how you can recognize lice and successfully get rid of them.
How to recognize nits
Nits are about 0.8 mm in size and have a clearly defined, elongated-oval shape. Their exact coloring varies depending on whether they still contain larvae or not: Fresh nits have a brownish coloring, while the empty egg shells after hatching are light and whitish.
Nits are glued by the females especially in areas with particularly dense hair growth. They are therefore mainly found behind the ears, at the temples and on the nape of the neck. They are also characterized by their adhesion – unlike dandruff, nits are very sticky and therefore not easy to remove.
To summarize the most important characteristics of nits once again: Nits are …
… about 0.8 mm in size and easily visible to the naked eye.
… elongated-oval and regularly shaped.
… initially brownish, white after hatching.
… sticky and difficult to remove.
Our tip if you're still unsure whether you have nits or dandruff even after a close look: Try to carefully remove the fluff with your fingers or a comb. Do they come off easily? Then it's dandruff. Do they stick firmly to the hair? Then they're probably nits.
Once you've clearly identified the white particles in your hair as nits, action is needed to get rid of the unwanted guests as quickly as possible. It's best to immediately inform other potentially affected people and start treatment. What to keep in mind is summarized below.
What can you do about nits?
To put an end to the lice infestation, you must consistently remove the creatures and their eggs. The nits are particularly stubborn because they stick so strongly to the hair. It's best to proceed in the following steps:
Apply lice treatment: This kills the already hatched creatures, but is not necessarily effective against nits. That's why step 2 is so important:
Systematically comb out hair: Use a special nit comb with very fine teeth to remove not only the larger lice but also the small and firmly sticky nits – proceed systematically and clean the comb regularly.
Second application of lice treatment: Experience shows that it's rarely possible to comb out 100% of the nits. Most treatment products therefore require another application about 7 days after the first to kill any stragglers.
Follow-up treatment: Even after removal, continue using special care products for a while that gently protect against further head lice infestation. The hair should also be checked for new nits for a few days – better safe than sorry!
Maintain hygiene: Head lice actually only survive briefly outside the hair, but it doesn't hurt to wash brushes, hats, pillowcases, etc. in hot water anyway to be on the safe side.
Our recommendation for nits and head lice infestation
But why is it that so many people are unsure whether they have nits or dandruff? We also have an answer to that.
At first glance, dandruff and nits can look similar. Dry dandruff in particular resembles the egg shells in terms of size and color at first glance. But the small particles have completely different causes and accordingly also different solutions. Therefore, you should always make sure whether the fluff in your hair is dandruff or nits.
So what does dandruff look like on the head and how do you best distinguish between nits and dandruff? Quite simply:
While nits typically concentrate on the areas behind the ears, at the temples or on the nape of the neck, dandruff can appear on the entire scalp .
Unlike nits, dry scalp dandruff is not sticky and can therefore be easily loosened and distributed – they can even fall down to the shoulders.
And confusion can also be ruled out based on shape: Dandruff has no specific shape and usually an undefined edge, whereas nits have a clearly defined, elongated-oval shape.
If all the characteristics indicate dandruff, you need to soothe your irritated scalp and regulate its moisture balance. This can best be achieved with special care products such as a balancing and soothing anti-dandruff shampoo with coltsfoot.
Would you like to learn more about other types of dandruff, symptoms and treatment options? Then check out our overview article on everything about dandruff & scalp. You'll find lots of general information and links to in-depth articles.
The solution for lice, dandruff and Co.
Identifying the cause of small white particles in the hair is half the battle. Because whether nits or dandruff – both can be well managed with the right care and can usually be effectively combated. However, if you're unsure, it's best to seek professional advice before taking action.
Frequently asked questions
Can nits be confused with dandruff?
Yes, especially dry dandruff resembles nits in size and color. The most important difference: Nits stick firmly to the hair and cannot be simply shaken off. Anyone unsure whether it's nits or dandruff can test whether the particles can be easily removed – dandruff comes off, nits stay attached.
Can you have nits but no lice?
Yes, that's possible. After the larvae hatch, the empty egg shells (nits) remain attached to the hair, even if the lice have already been removed. That's why it's important to look for nits even after killing the lice and carefully remove them with a nit comb. A second application of the lice treatment about 7 days after the first also helps prevent re-infestation.
How can you tell the difference between nits and dandruff?
There are several differences between nits and dandruff that are visually and at the latest by touch easily recognizable: Nits are usually about 0.8 mm in size, oval, sticky and firmly attached to the hair. Dandruff, on the other hand, is irregularly shaped, dry and easily detaches from the scalp.
Can you always only have lice or dandruff or both at the same time?
Theoretically, both can occur at the same time. Dandruff often develops from an imbalanced scalp, while lice are transmitted independently. A head lice infestation usually leads to an itchy scalp, which irritates it and promotes dandruff formation. However, you should always check carefully whether nits or dandruff are present to choose the right treatment.
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