Lice vs Nits
What's the Difference

Lice

Lice infest regardless of social status and personal hygiene. They like CLEAN hair not dirty, as it’s easier to attach to an uncoated hair shaft.

What:

Small, six-legged insects; size of a sesame seed.

Color:

Grayish, whitish brown.

Found:

Directly on the scalp.

Feed:

Need human blood to survive.

Lifecycle:

Can live 30 days on scalp.

Risk:

Bothersome but don’t spread disease.

Symptoms:

Itching, irritation, small red bumps.

Nit

Nits are lice eggs. They look like dandruff, only they can’t be removed by brushing or shaking them off. They are attached to the hair shaft with a sticky nit glue.

What:

Small, oval sacs; size of a pin point.

Color:

Yellow, tan or brown dots.

Found:

On the hair shaft about 1/4 – 1/2 inch from the scalp.

Hot Spots:

Behind the ears, nape of the neck and part lines.

Lifecycle:

Newly hatched nymphs migrate to the scalp to feed.

Timeline:

9-10 days from hatching they begin to lay their own egg.

Lice

Nit

Nits are lice eggs. They look like dandruff, only they can’t be removed by brushing or shaking them off. They are attached to the hair shaft with a sticky nit glue.

What:

Small, six-legged insects; size of a sesame seed.

Color:

Grayish, whitish brown.

Found:

Directly on the scalp.

Feed:

Need human blood to survive.

Lifecycle:

Can live 30 days on scalp.

Risk:

Bothersome but don’t spread disease.

Symptoms:

Itching, irritation, small red bumps.

Nits are lice eggs. They look like dandruff, only they can’t be removed by brushing or shaking them off. They are attached to the hair shaft with a sticky nit glue.

What:

Small, oval sacs; size of a pin point.

Color:

Yellow, tan or brown dots.

Found:

On the hair shaft about 1/4 – 1/2 inch from the scalp.

Hot Spots:

Behind the ears, nape of the neck and part lines.

Lifecycle:

Newly hatched nymphs migrate to the scalp to feed.

Timeline:

9-10 days from hatching they begin to lay their own egg.

LICE INFO

How Lice Are Spread and How to Check For Lice

HOW ARE HEAD LICE SPREAD?

HOW DO I CHECK FOR LICE?

How Are Head Lice Spread?

Lice are mostly spread through head-to-head contact. Lice infest children more than adults because they have more physical contact at that age.

Lice can survive up to 36 hours off the human head on clothing and other personal items such as hats, helmets, brushes, combs, hair ties, towels and head phones. They do not fly or jump. They crawl. Lice can also survive in water as they go into a state of suspended animation. Chlorine does not kill them. Pets do not carry the same type of head lice as children.

LICE 911 TREATMENT & REMOVAL GUIDE
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How Do I Check for Lice?

You want to part the hair to get a good look at the scalp where lice live and feed. Start by looking at the “hot spots” which are behind the ears, at the back of the neck and along the part lines. It can help to use a bright light, as they are difficult to see and fast moving.

Nits are smaller and can be mistaken for dandruff or flaky skin. They are found on the hair shaft close to the scalp and attached with a glue-like substance. The most effective method for lice checks is combing through hair with a metal nit picking comb.

LICE 911 TREATMENT & REMOVAL GUIDE
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Stay Lice Free

Prevent & Treat Lice Outbreaks

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Rosemary Repel®

Daily Lice Shampoo

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Rosemary Repel®

Lice Conditioning Spray

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Lice Good-Bye®

Kids Lice Treatment

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Terminator™

Lice Comb

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LOOKING FOR MORE LICE INFO?

Check Out Our Lice 911 Page For More Lice Information.

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