Dandruff 
is a problem
that plagues a huge number of people around the world. Dry flaky scalps
are nothing new, nor are they uncommon. Lice, on the other hand, is far
less common and far more of a concern. When you see white particles in
your hair and on your scalp, you need to be able to differentiate
between dandruff and lice. It's easy to do, and can be done a number of
different ways.Dandruff is a problem that plagues a huge number of
people around the world. Dry flaky scalps are nothing new, nor are they
uncommon. Lice, on the other hand, is far less common and far more of a
concern. When you see white particles in your hair and on your scalp,
you need to be able to differentiate between dandruff and lice. It's
easy to do, and can be done a number of different ways.
Instructions
Step
Things You’ll Need:
- Comb
- Dandruff shampoo
- Mirror
1
Look
at your scalp in a mirror. It's a good idea to have plenty of light
when you do this as it can be difficult to differentiate between lice
and dandruff in poor light. If you have a vanity mirror, even better.
2
Find
white flecks and spots on your scalp and in your hair. White flecks
higher on your hair shaft are typically just dandruff, while those
closer to your scalp could be either. They will require closer
inspection.
3
Comb
your hair. If the white flecks move freely along the comb and the shaft
of your hair then it is likely just dandruff. If it remains firmly
stuck at your scalp then it is most likely lice.
4
Shampoo your 
5
Note
any severe itchiness in your scalp. While dandruff can occasionally be
itchy, it will only be minor. Lice will be severely itchy on your scalp,
and no matter how much you scratch the sensation of itchiness will not
go away. This is one of the best ways to differentiate between lice and
dandruff.How to Know If You Have A Case Of Head Lice
You may think you have an itchy scalp from dandruff but it could be head lice. Here is how to tell.
It is embarrassing but you will probably need a friend to inspect your scalp.
If your head has been itching for some time, mostly where your hair is thickest, often toward the back, you may have head lice.
If you find any nits or lice you must begin treatment immediately. Try covering your entire hair and scalp with regular mayonnaise for one hour or longer and shampooing, then combing out the nits with a special nit comb. You will also need a friend to do this, then repeat the mayonnaise treatment for one more hour to smother the lice. You can treat with over the counter products such as Rid as well, even in conjunction with the mayonnaise treatment. Head lice are very hard to kill unfortunately.
You must wash all bedding and clothes and dry on high heat.
Instructions
1
It
is nearly impossible for you to tell by yourself if you have head lice
although with a nit comb you may be able to comb out and see nits and
live bugs.It is embarrassing but you will probably need a friend to inspect your scalp.
2
You will be looking for brownish looking small bugs, which resemble tiny sea crabs, and tiny oval white eggs or nits.If your head has been itching for some time, mostly where your hair is thickest, often toward the back, you may have head lice.
3
Another
sign besides live lice and eggs is a foul smelling scalp. You can smell
the waste product of the lice. It smells similar to rotting leaves or
dirt.If you find any nits or lice you must begin treatment immediately. Try covering your entire hair and scalp with regular mayonnaise for one hour or longer and shampooing, then combing out the nits with a special nit comb. You will also need a friend to do this, then repeat the mayonnaise treatment for one more hour to smother the lice. You can treat with over the counter products such as Rid as well, even in conjunction with the mayonnaise treatment. Head lice are very hard to kill unfortunately.
You must wash all bedding and clothes and dry on high heat.
How to Check a Child's Hair for Lice
Symptoms of head lice include frequent head-scratching and/or the sudden appearance of dandruff-like white flecks in the hair. You may receive a note from your child's school reporting that another class member has a case of head lice. In all of these instances, you should examine your child's head for lice.
Instructions
Step1
Be
sure there is adequate lighting when checking your child’s head for
lice. A brightly lit bathroom or a flashlight will help you spot any
lice or eggs.
Step2
Begin
at the nape (bottom) of the neck and work your way up. Lice and eggs
can be anywhere on the head but they do prefer warmer places to hide.
The lower hairline is a good place to start.
Step3
Using
either your fingers or a tail comb, slowly part the hair down the
middle, from the crown to the nape of the neck. Check the part for eggs
on the hair shaft (small white specks attached to the hair shaft) or
adult lice. The eggs will be well attached and should only be able to be
removed by scraping off the hair with your finger nail.
Step4
Once
the first section is checked, part the hair either to the left or right
of your original part in very small sections. Check this new parting
for eggs and adult lice.
Step5
Repeat
this process throughout the entire back of the head, paying extra
attention to the warmer spots at the nape, hairline and close to the
ears.
Step6
When
the entire back portion of the head is complete, part your child’s hair
from the crown to the front hairline and repeat the process for the
front of the hair.
Step7
If lice are found on your child’s head treatment must be given immediately.
Step8
Remove
your child’s clothing that they are wearing and all bedding on your
child’s bed. Wash immediately or your child will risk another exposure.
All materials such as jackets, hats, scarves, pillow or blanket that
your child may have come in contact with will be infested and must be
washed.
Step9
Wash your hands thoroughly once the clothes are in the washer.
Step10
Go to the drug store and purchase a lice shampoo. Follow the directions given with the product.
Step11
If
you have other children in the house check them for lice as well. If
you suspect you may be infected have someone check you or use the lice
shampoo just to be safe.
Step12
Be persistent. The treatment may have to be repeated before the lice or eggs are completely killed.How to Eliminate Head Lice
Head
lice are wingless parasites that live on people's head and feed off
their blood. They are extremely small and the egg is noted as being the
size of a dandruff flake. According to the Center for disease Control,
head lice is extremely contagious and children ages 3-11 are known to
get head lice most often. Sharing hats, brushes and combs are sure ways
to get and/or spread the contamination. Symptoms include tickling scalp,
itchy scalp and sores from scratching the scalp. To treat head lice,
follow these steps:
medicine label. Make sure you leave the medicine on the hair as long as the doctor or label instructed.
provider and retreat as indicated.
Instructions
Step1
Remove all clothing, beddings and other items that could possible be infested.
Step2
Use the medication as instructed by the doctor or the over-the-counter
Step3
Comb dead and any remaining live lice out of the hair using a fine-toothed nit comb.
Step4
Re-treatment is typically recommended after 9-10 days in order to kill any surviving hatched lice but consult your health care
Step5
Wash
and dry the clothing, bed linen, towels and other washables where the
infested person may have been. Use the hot water cycle and the high heat
drying cycle. Any item that is not washable should be dry-cleaned.How to Keep Head Lice From Coming Back
While lice are not dangerous and do not spread disease, they are extremely difficult to get rid of and can lead to intense itching, skin irritation, and skin infection. According to the Nemours Foundation, children between the ages of 3 and 12 are most prone to catching lice. Symptoms of head lice include scratching, small red sores on the head, and the presence of small, white specs in the hair. These specs are hatched lice eggs, and they are typically easier to see than the actual head lice.
The American Academy of Pediatrics states that head lice infestation is not a result of poor hygiene and all socioeconomic groups are equally affected. Prevention of lice in school-aged children is difficult, but early identification and treatment is important to prevent other family members from catching lice.
Instructions
Step
1
Use a lice shampoo on every member of your household. Even if some family members do not appear to be infected, nits may be present in the hair and lead to reinfection.
Step
2
Remove any remaining nits in the hair after using lice shampoo. Most over-the-counter products include a special nit comb that is very effective at removing nits from the hair. A regular fine tooth comb works equally well.
Step
3
Avoid washing your child's hair for two days following treatment with a medicated shampoo, and never use a hair dryer on hair that has been treated, as the ingredients in some medicated shampoos are flammable.
Step
4
Treat your entire home by soaking brushes in very hot water for ten minutes, washing all bedding in the house in water that is at least 130 degrees F, dry-cleaning items that cannot be machine washed in the machine, and thoroughly vacuuming carpets, furniture, and mattresses. Items that cannot be dry-cleaned can be sealed inside an airtight plastic bag for two weeks.
Step
5
Remember to wash your child's stuffed toys. Parents often overlook stuffed animals when attempting to eliminate lice from the home. Stuffed animals your child sleeps with or keeps on his bed are very likely infested with lice. Wash them in the washing machine in very hot water, or seal them in plastic for two weeks or longer before allowing your child to play with them again.
Step
6
Repeat treatment on the hair one week after the first application of the lice shampoo. This enables you to catch any lice that may have hatched from nits missed during the initial treatment.
Step
7
Check each member of your household for lice and nits every 3 to 4 days until everyone in the home has tested negative for lice for at least 4 weeks.
Step
8
Teach your children to avoid sharing combs, brushes, hats, and jackets with other children at school. Most children catch lice from their classmates due to the close proximity of children to one another and the fact that classrooms normally keep personal items in confined spaces.
Step
9
Call the school if your child becomes infected with lice repeatedly during the same school year. Insist that your child is allowed to keep her jacket and other personal belonging in a safe location, and demand that other children in the classroom are rechecked for lice before allowing your child to return to school.