Dandruff vs lice are treatable at home. Knowing the difference of one from the other can help a person know the right treatment. Lice and dandruff look alike and get many people confused. Dandruff flow from scalp, but stick to the hair.
Dandruff, which is also seborrheic dermatitis, is a skin condition that causes top layer of skin to shed away quickly. The shedding produces a dry, itchy scalp. People with dandruff will also notice flakes of skin on their clothes.
Head lice do not spread diseases, but they are highly contagious. Getting close contact with the head or hair of the person with lice such as sharing of hairbrushes or giving hugs can spread the infestation.
When young children hug or touch each other, it’s notice that the head lice are more common in kids than adults and families with kids.
Dandruff vs Lice: Some differences between them include:
LOCATION
Lice lay eggs called nits while dandruff do causes flaky skin. These two look similar, but studying it closes let one to know the real differences. Nits stick to the hair while dandruff flakes, easily falling off of hair. While dandruff is visible on the scalp, lice lay eggs on hair.
CONTAGION
Dandruff is not a contagious disease but lice spread easily from person to person. If a friend, or family member has recently had lice, lice could be the reason why a person develops an itchy scalp.
ITCHING
Dandruff and lice have both itching Dandruff always tend to itch more when the scalp is dry. Someone who have lice may feel a crawling sensation on their scalp.
LYMPH NODES
Lice do cause bacterial Source, especially when someone do have a scratch on their scalp too hard and causes bleeding. Someone having lice will know that the lymph nodes on their neck or behind their ears are swollen.
COLOR
Lice are tiny, and people may need a magnifying glass to see them. If someone notice bugs or black or brown spots on the scalp or in the hair, this usually means they have lice, not dandruff.
SYMPTOMS OF DANDRUFF
Someone with dandruff do develop a seborrheic dermatitis on other areas of their body. When this happens, the person will always notice flaking or scaly skin on the chest, neck,face or ears.
Most people, however, experience a mild form of dandruff only on the scalp. Symptoms of dandruff include:
- White or yellowish flakes on clothes an itchy scalp.
- Flaky skin that is either very oily or very dry.
- Symptoms that worsen in the winter or dry weather.
- Red patches on the scalp.
Some people with dandruff notice temporary hair loss, but hair loss is the Source of other conditions.
READ ALSO: SIDE EFFECTS OF RICE WATER ON HAIR
SYMPTOMS OF LICE
Lice are mostly found commonly among children and people in close contact with children, such as , parents, daycare workers, and babysitters and teachers.
Symptoms of lice include:
- Constantly scratching the head.
- Intense itching on the scalp.
- Red or bloody spots on the scalp from scratching.
- Teardrop-shaped lice eggs on the hair tiny black spots on the scalp or in the hair.
TREATMENT: DANDRUFF VS LICE
For the treatment of dandruff vs lice, It’s advisable that a person should always wash clothes and bed sheets at 130°F or hotter if they used them 2 days prior to lice treatment.
- A range of insecticidal shampoos help kill lice, sometimes with just a treatment.
- Its advisable to comb nits out of the hair.
Over-the-counter (OTC) lice remedies work well, but some lice are immune to the medicines. So if the first treatment does not work, the person is advise to see a doctor.
Head lice cannot live for long without a host. Washing items that make it easy for lice to hop back onto Someone can reduce the spread of these bugs.
Washing clothing, bed sheets, and other items in water of 130°F or hotter. Soaking brushes and combs in 130°F water for at least 5–10 minutes. Vacuuming all carpets and rugs in the home. Avoiding the use of insecticidal sprays. Dandruff often go well to OTC anti-dandruff shampoos.
The American Academy of Dermatology let us know that shampooing with an anti-dandruff shampoo twice a week unless a person is African-American.
African-Americans tend to have drier hair and scalps, so they may be better off shampooing with anti-dandruff shampoo only once per week.
Some people find that their dandruff does not get better with an anti-dandruff shampoo. If symptoms don’t show any improvement, the flakes may be due to a yeast infection on the scalp, an autoimmune condition, eczema, or a severe case of dandruff.
A dermatologist can help someone to identify the underlying cause, as well as any triggers. Some people may need prescription anti-dandruff shampoos.
PREVENTION: DANDRUFF VS LICE
Dandruff is common and are the same time difficult to prevent. Regularly washing the hair reduces dandruff in some people, but lack of hygiene does not cause dandruff. People with dandruff always identify triggers, such as cold or dry air.
People with particularly dry scalps sometimes get relief from sleeping with a humidifier. To help in preventing lice, you have to avoid close contact with people at high risk of lice, especially very young children.
To prevent dandruff vs lice, avoid sharing combs, brushes, pillows, and other items where lice may hide. If a person in the family has lice, treat them and other family members for lice.
Conclusion
Having dandruff vs lice or having both is dangerous. Constant scratching can injure the scalp, however, lead may lead to a scalp infection.
Both lice and dandruff usually respond well to store-bought treatments, and so a person can try an OTC remedy as their first response. If OTC treatments do not work, it is best to see a doctor or dermatologist for scalp itching or pain