Head lice and dandruff are the same

Head lice and dandruff are two conditions that affect the scalp. Both of them make the scalp itchy and appear many white spots on the hair. Sometimes, it can be difficult to tell whether you have dandruff or a curse just by looking at it and relying on itching sensation on the scalp. For that, identify further the differences between these two conditions.

The difference between lice and dandruff

What are fleas?

Head lice are infectious parasites that usually stick to the scalp and hair shaft. Pediculus humanus capitis is the name of the parasite that causes head lice. Generally, head lice are of three types, namely:

• Eggs (nits), usually in the form of small white spots attached to the hair shaft.
• Nymphs (young adult lice), small, light brown insects that hatch from eggs.
• Adult fleas, usually larger than nymphs, about the size of a sesame seed and dark brown.

About 6 to 12 million children from 3 to 11 years of age usually have head lice. Head lice survive by sucking blood from the scalp they live on. Lice saliva when sucking is what causes irritation of the scalp and ultimately makes the scalp itch.

What is dandruff?

Dandruff, also called seborrheic dermatitis, is a chronic scalp condition characterized by flaking of the skin on your scalp. Dandruff that sticks to the scalp often looks like scales. Usually, dandruff will fall out when you scratch it.

Dandruff can cause itching due to the condition of the scalp that is too dry. Dandruff is not contagious, even if you borrow personal items like combs, hats, or pillows. Even so, people who have dandruff may feel embarrassed because the scalp looks dirty and white scales.

The cause of the appearance of lice and dandruff

Where do ticks come from?

Head lice are usually transmitted from people who have lice in their hair. Direct head contact or alternating combs, hats, towels and pillows can be a way for lice to spread. If in a house there is one person who has lice on his head, usually all family members will be infected. Head lice are transmitted from person to person. Head lice in pets are different from head lice in humans. So that pets cannot pass the fleas they have to humans.

Having head lice does not mean you have dirty hair or head. Lice will live even in hair that is diligently cleaned. Head lice do not spread certain diseases, but having head lice can make your scalp very itchy. If you keep scratching your scalp, this condition can make your scalp hurt and lead to infection.

Where does dandruff come from?

While dandruff arises due to several factors, namely:

• Irritation and oily skin (seborrheic dermatitis). This condition is one of the common causes of dandruff which is characterized by a red and oily scalp covered with white or yellowish scales. In fact, newborns can have dandruff which is known as cradle cap.
• It rarely cleans hair. If you don't wash your hair regularly, oil and dead skin cells on the scalp can build up and cause dandruff.
• Yeast fungus (malassezia).
• Dry scalp.
• Sensitivity to certain hair care products.

The characteristics of head lice and dandruff

Both lice and dandruff make the scalp itchy. Head lice are usually characterized by small white spots on the hair shaft like dandruff flakes. The white spots are the manifestation of hair eggs. If dandruff flakes fall off easily when combed, the nits stick firmly. The lice will only come off if you gently remove them from the hair shaft.

For most teenagers and adults, dandruff is easily recognized by the appearance of white flakes on the scalp and hair. Sometimes, if you wear dark colored clothes, flakes of dandruff will show on your shoulders. Dandruff in children is characterized by a scaly and crusty scalp.

Overcoming lice and dandruff hair

Lice and dandruff hair require different treatments. Dandruff hair can be treated with anti-dandruff shampoo. This shampoo usually contains salicylic acid, zinc pyrithione, selenium sulfide, ketoconazole, coal tar, and tea tree oil which can help exfoliate dandruff from the scalp. If your dandruff is severe and cannot be treated with special shampoos, your doctor will prescribe certain medications.

Head lice can be treated with a special medicated shampoo which usually contains permethrin and pyrethrin to kill the lice and their eggs. This shampoo is recommended for adults and children over the age of 2. You should repeat washing your hair with the same medicated shampoo after 7 to 10 days to make sure all the lice have died. You can also use a fine, tight-toothed comb to pull the lice out of your scalp.