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Understanding the Enemy: Lice vs. Nits

Head lice are master hiders, and many children don’t show visible symptoms like itching until several weeks after they’ve been infested. To beat them, you need to know exactly what you are looking for.

A live louse is an adult or nymph, typically about the size of a sesame seed. These pests are usually light brown, greyish, or sometimes reddish-brown after they have fed on blood. Their most defining characteristic is their movement: they are fast movers that scurry away quickly from light and prefer to stay close to the warm scalp. This speed is what makes them so difficult to spot unless you are actively parting the hair. When searching for them, focus your attention on the areas where lice feel safest: right behind the ears and at the nape of the neck, along the back hairline.

Nits are the eggs laid by the female lice. They are often incorrectly confused with dandruff, but there is one crucial feature that distinguishes them: their attachment. Nits are firmly glued to the hair shaft, usually within half an inch of the scalp, and will not easily flick off like dandruff flakes do. They look like tiny, yellowish-white or tan specks, often having a distinct tear-drop shape. As they mature and prepare to hatch, they turn a paler, whitish colour. Like the live lice themselves, nits are most commonly found in the warm, protected areas of the scalp: behind the ears and at the nape of the neck.

Your Early Detection Strategy: The Wet Combing Method

The best way to confirm a case—or simply rule one out—is through systematic wet combing. This method is effective because the conditioner immediately slows down the pests. To perform a successful check, begin by applying a generous amount of regular hair conditioner to hair that is soaking wet. It is vital to use a fine-toothed metal nit comb; generic plastic combs often allow lice to slip right through. Work in very small, manageable sections, combing slowly from the scalp right down to the tip of the hair. After every single pass, wipe the comb onto a white paper towel or tissue, inspecting the debris closely. If you see anything moving, you have live lice. If you see tiny specks stuck firmly to the comb, those are nits.

What to Do If You Find Them

If your thorough check reveals any live lice or cemented-on nits, you must act immediately. The faster you treat, the less chance the infestation has to spread. Our advice is to treat promptly using an effective, proven solution like Licesol according to the package directions. You should also begin the environmental cleaning process right away, which involves hot washing bedding, drying items on high heat, and isolating any contact items. Most importantly, commit to re-combing daily or every other day for the next two weeks, ensuring you break the cycle by catching any nymphs that hatch after your first Licesol treatment. By making this focused check a regular habit, you move from being reactive to being completely in control of your family’s hair health. Don’t wait for the itching to start—be the first to know!

Visit your nearest pharmacy to pick up Licesol today, ensuring you’re ready for the next seasonal risk!

Tip 1: The Power of Wet Combing

Before you reach for a chemical treatment, grab a good comb. Wet combing is a highly effective, non-chemical method that should be the cornerstone of any lice control strategy. It works by physically removing the lice and their eggs (nits) from the hair. To do this effectively, invest in a high-quality metal nit comb; its teeth are set much closer together than a regular comb, making escape impossible for the pests. Next, get the hair thoroughly wet and apply a generous amount of conditioner. This essential step slows down the lice, preventing them from scurrying away and making it much easier for the comb to glide through the hair smoothly. You must then divide the hair into small, manageable sections, combing carefully from the scalp all the way to the ends in each one. After every pass, wipe the comb on a white paper towel so you can see any lice or nits you’ve removed, then rinse the comb under running water to clear it. Repeat this entire process every two to three days for at least two weeks. This diligent follow-up is necessary because it catches any nymphs that hatch after your initial session before they can mature and lay new eggs.

Tip 2: Know Your Enemy: The Importance of Early Detection

The old saying, “prevention is better than cure,” is absolutely true when it comes to lice. The easiest way to get rid of lice is to catch them before they have a chance to multiply. To be vigilant, make a quick check of your child’s hair a part of their weekly routine, focusing intently on the “hot spots” where lice love to hide: right behind the ears and at the nape of the neck. When checking, don’t just look for itching. You need to actively look for the signs: small, tear-drop shaped specks, or nits, that are glued firmly to the hair shaft—remember, they won’t easily flick off like dandruff. If you hear of an outbreak at school or daycare, you must increase your checking frequency. Early detection means you can tackle the problem before it becomes a full-blown infestation requiring intensive work.

Tip 3: The Right Treatment (When You Need It)

Sometimes, despite your best efforts with combing, the infestation needs a more direct approach, or you simply need a faster solution. This is when over-the-counter lice treatments like Licesol can be your essential ally. By combining these three core strategies—thorough wet combing, proactive checking, and correct, timely treatment when needed—you’ll be well-equipped to manage and conquer a lice infestation effectively. Stay calm, be systematic, and those pesky bugs will be gone before you know it.

Visit your nearest pharmacy to pick up Licesol today.

Top Tips: How to Spot Lice and Nits Early