While it is not uncommon for children to contract head lice once they are attending daycare or school, there is a chance something that appears to be lice could be something else. In order to treat a suspected infestation properly, it is important to determine if what you are dealing with is, in fact, head lice.
Head lice appear as white speckles on the hair shaft. From a distance, it can easily be confused with dry scalp flakes or dandruff. Look closely at the shaft of your child’s hair. The lice will appear to be more attached to the individual hair than dandruff. Nits also have a rounder, more sac-like appearance than dandruff flakes. Inspect the child’s scalp closely. Those suffering from dandruff will show flakes on their scalp as well as in their hair. While dandruff can cause itching, a simple inspection should clear up any doubt whether your child has dry scalp or lice.
Occasionally, sand may look like head lice. Consider where your child has been in the last few days. If they have traveled to the beach or played in a friend’s sandbox, there is a good chance their suspected infestation is sand. The best thing to do is wash your child’s hair and then slowly comb through wet hair. Sand will disappear, while lice and nits will remain.
Could your child have hair spray or products in their hair that are now flaking and appearing to be a lice infestation? Sometimes products build up and can be itchy, prompting a parent to check for lice. Again, a thorough shampooing will clear build-up.
Keep in mind it is easier to check wet hair for lice infestation. If your child has not shampooed for a few days, it may be the solution for their itchy scalp. If you are still not sure about the presence of lice, capture one of the suspected crawlers on a piece of clear tape and have a health professional examine it.
If it turns out it is lice, choose Essential Health Australia’s 100% Natural Headlice Blitzer to Kill Lice and deal with the problem.
