How to Tell Nits From Dandruff

Lice are tiny parasites that grow to be 5 mm in length. They adapt to their human host by using claws to cling to the hair. Female lice lay their nits, or eggs, onto your hair by secreting a sticky substance. It can take about two weeks for nits to hatch into a small adult. The appearance of nits is different than dandruff.

Things You'll Need

• Comb
• Magnifying glass

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Instructions

• 1

  Look at your scalp.

  Look closely at your scalp. Nits are found near the base of your scalp, as stated by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

• 2

  Nits looke like pussy willows.

  Examine your head using a magnifying glass. Have a family member check areas you can't reach. Lice nits look like small pussy willow buds, according to the Mayo Clinic. Nits are oval in shape, whereas dandruff is irregular in shape.

• 3

  See if your can remove debris from your hair.

  Brush your hair. Dandruff can be easily brushed from your hair. Nits can't be brushed since the glue used to adhere eggs to your hair make removal of eggs difficult.

• 4

  Identify if there are white flakes in other areas of your hair or on your shoulder. Dandruff is also itchy and appears as scaly flakes around your scalp.