Head Lice and Nits: How to Spot and Remove Them Properly

Finding head lice or nits in your child’s hair can be worrying, but they are common among children and families. Head lice are not a sign of dirty hair or poor hygiene and are mainly spread through close head-to-head contact.

Knowing what to look for — and the difference between head lice and nits — can make dealing with them much easier.

What Are Head Lice and Nits?

Head lice are small insects that live in the hair and feed from the scalp, while nits are their eggs, which attach firmly to individual strands of hair.

Nits are very small and can sometimes be mistaken for dandruff. However, unlike dandruff, they tend to stay firmly attached to the hair rather than brushing away easily.

When checking the hair, pay particular attention to areas behind the ears and around the back of the neck.

How Do You Know If You Have Head Lice?

An itchy scalp is one of the most familiar signs of head lice, especially behind the ears and around the neck. However, itching alone does not necessarily mean lice are present.

The clearest sign is finding a live head louse in the hair. Using a fine-toothed lice comb can make it easier to check the scalp and hair carefully.

If you find head lice, it is also a good idea to check other members of the household who may have had close contact.

How to Remove Head Lice and Nits from Hair

If you discover head lice, follow the instructions provided with the head lice treatment you are using.

After treatment, a fine-toothed lice and nits comb can help remove lice, nits and remaining debris from the hair.

For thorough combing:

1. Detangle the hair before starting.
2. Divide the hair into small sections.
3. Position the comb close to the roots.
4. Comb slowly from the roots through to the ends.
5. Clean the comb after each pass.
6. Continue until the entire head has been carefully checked.

Working in small sections can make it easier to avoid missing areas of the hair.

How Do You Remove Nits from Hair?

Because nits attach firmly to the hair shaft, they may not simply wash or brush away.

A fine-toothed nit comb can help physically remove them. Start close to the scalp and work through the hair section by section.

Even after treatment, you may still notice nits or empty egg casings attached to the hair. This does not automatically mean that live head lice are still present.

Make Nit Removal Easier with a Fine-Toothed Comb

A fine-toothed comb can make it easier to remove lice, nits and remaining debris from the hair after treatment.

The Parasidose Lice and Nits Comb is designed for this purpose, with long stainless-steel teeth that help catch lice and nits while rounded tips make combing gentler on the scalp.

Suitable for both short and long hair, it can be used for babies, infants and children, making it a practical addition to your head lice treatment routine.

Can Dead Nits Stay in the Hair?

Yes. Nits and empty egg casings can remain attached to the hair after treatment, even when the treatment has been successful.

This is why you may continue seeing small eggs attached to individual hairs even when you cannot find any live lice.

Using a lice and nits comb can help remove these remaining eggs and casings.

What About School?

If your child has head lice, Malta’s public-health guidance states that they can return to school once the first treatment has been started.

It is still important to complete the treatment according to the product instructions and continue checking the hair afterwards.

Dealing with Head Lice and Nits

Head lice can happen to anyone, particularly children who spend time in close contact with others.

If you find head lice or nits in the hair, c, follow an appropriate treatment and use a fine-toothed lice and nits comb to help remove remaining lice, eggs and debris.

The main thing is to deal with them promptly and comb the hair thoroughly.