Your child is complaining of having an itchy scalp, you take a look and you see white stuff, but you’re not sure if it’s dandruff or lice because oftentimes dandruff looks like nits to the untrained eye. While lice is the answer no parent wants to hear, it is a possibility. We know how disruptive lice can be to your lives, so we’ve got some answers to help you figure out your next step. If you’re too spooked to check yourself, you can make an appointment with Fresh Heads Lice Removal and we’d be happy to check for you. 

How Do I Know If I Have Lice or Dandruff?

Dandruff vs. lice can be very confusing, as they can have similar symptoms and a similar look. It is very common to confuse the two, as dandruff does look like nits at a glance. Both can give you an itchy scalp, but the itchiness that comes with lice tends to be much more severe. Lice are a very small, black insect that feeds on your blood from your scalp, and their bites can cause severe irritation. You’ll constantly itch your scalp; the itching may affect your ability to fall asleep and stay asleep. Also, in severe lice infestations, you will likely be able to see and feel the lice on your scalp.

Identifying Dandruff VS. Lice

There is quite a difference between dandruff and lice. Dandruff is typically white, close to the scalp, thin, and flaky. Dandruff is dead skin from your scalp, which explains the white and flaky appearance and causes itchiness. Lice is a black insect that crawls around on the scalp, bites your scalp, and lays eggs. Their eggs are called nits and you can typically find their nits throughout their hair on single strands. Their nits are white/yellow in color, oval shaped, and hard. While dandruff looks like nits, nits are hard to remove off the strands of hair, while dandruff usually just comes right off. 

Causes of Dandruff VS. Lice

While dandruff and lice are often confused for one another, their causes are completely different. Lice is only spread through head-to-head contact. So, that means your child was in close contact with someone who has lice. Dandruff is typically caused by dry skin, irritated skin, hair care products, or skin conditions such as psoriasis.

Lice Treatment in Jacksonville, FL

If you’re looking for lice treatment in Jacksonville, FL, Fresh Heads Lice Removal is the #1 choice for local families. We use our patented AirAlle device that distributes warm air onto the scalp without using harsh chemicals or toxins. We provide the quickest single treatment with a 45-day guarantee, and no follow-up appointment needed! We also have two other locations in Orlando, FL, and Savannah, GA. Call today to get your life back!  

Schools Without Lice

At Fresh Heads Lice Removal, our mission is to get rid of lice in schools across the United States. We’ve partnered with the Lice Clinics of America to create the Schools Without Lice program. Through this program, we provide school nurses and teachers with free screenings, resources, and treatments. Together, we can have schools without lice!