Cooties!
January 27, 2009 7:39 AM Subscribe
Have I got headlice/nits or just an itchy scalp? Posting anonymously as I'm too embarrassed to even ask someone to have a look.
I've had an itchy scalp before - I have a dry scalp at times and it can flake. When I last had nits at 14, they were quite visible to the human eye, chunky transparent insects with a black dot in the middle. None of the websites I've looked at are helping me identify what I should be looking for, and my scalp is really itching right now. I have a real fear of headlice so I am quietly freaking out a bit.
I checked my hair as much as I could last night without having a cootie comb to hand, and I found two dark brown bits (could be crumbs, could not be) and along with 'usual' scalp flakes, two that were round and flat. I need to know a) whether to get my head treated b) whether to tell people who might have been in contact with me. For reference, I do have dyed hair and don't use hairspray or products for the most part.
I've had an itchy scalp before - I have a dry scalp at times and it can flake. When I last had nits at 14, they were quite visible to the human eye, chunky transparent insects with a black dot in the middle. None of the websites I've looked at are helping me identify what I should be looking for, and my scalp is really itching right now. I have a real fear of headlice so I am quietly freaking out a bit.
I checked my hair as much as I could last night without having a cootie comb to hand, and I found two dark brown bits (could be crumbs, could not be) and along with 'usual' scalp flakes, two that were round and flat. I need to know a) whether to get my head treated b) whether to tell people who might have been in contact with me. For reference, I do have dyed hair and don't use hairspray or products for the most part.
Lice glue their eggs pretty firmly to the hair shaft; it's probably not likely you'd find one floating freely around your scalp. You might try pulling out a couple hairs to see if there are any little bumps attached. Sometimes you can feel them when you run your fingers closely over your hair, too.
It sounds like you just have a dry scalp, but there are over-the-counter lice combs and treatments available if you want to check things out more thoroughly by yourself.
posted by Metroid Baby at 8:19 AM on January 27, 2009
It sounds like you just have a dry scalp, but there are over-the-counter lice combs and treatments available if you want to check things out more thoroughly by yourself.
posted by Metroid Baby at 8:19 AM on January 27, 2009
Sounds like dry scalp to me. The "bits" might have been dead, dry skin or scab tissue if you unknowingly drew blood when you might have scratched your head. I had something like this, but about 6 months ago, I got turned onto Neutrogena's T-Gel shampoo. I interweave the use of this with Head and Shoulders, and the problem has been under control ever since.
posted by PsuDab93 at 8:43 AM on January 27, 2009
posted by PsuDab93 at 8:43 AM on January 27, 2009
Put a piece of white paper on a flat surface. Vigorously comb and scratch your head over the paper. If anything is crawling on the paper when you are done, you have lice. If only bits of dead skin/scabs, you do not.
posted by hworth at 8:59 AM on January 27, 2009 [1 favorite]
posted by hworth at 8:59 AM on January 27, 2009 [1 favorite]
Dark bits are probably just scabs (yum!) since as you described the actual bugs are generally light colored and translucent. They can get larger as they fill with blood though. If you are curious, look at one of these mystery bits under a magnifying glass. Is it just a blob, or does it have legs?
Here's a picture of the nits adhered to the hair shaft for your viewing enjoyment. Itching and flakes do not necessarily equal lice. Eggs near your hair roots are another story though. If you have critters, over the counter shampoo works beautifully, and you will want to follow all the usual precautions to avoid re-infestation.
posted by abirae at 9:00 AM on January 27, 2009
Here's a picture of the nits adhered to the hair shaft for your viewing enjoyment. Itching and flakes do not necessarily equal lice. Eggs near your hair roots are another story though. If you have critters, over the counter shampoo works beautifully, and you will want to follow all the usual precautions to avoid re-infestation.
posted by abirae at 9:00 AM on January 27, 2009
Could be seborrheic dermatitis, which is like heavy duty dandruff with chunks and stuff. You can get shampoos for it over the counter at the drug store, or get a prescription for something stronger.
posted by orme at 12:36 PM on January 27, 2009
posted by orme at 12:36 PM on January 27, 2009
"I need to know a) whether to get my head treated"
You should only treat your head for lice if you find live lice in your hair.
posted by Mitheral at 12:36 AM on January 28, 2009
You should only treat your head for lice if you find live lice in your hair.
posted by Mitheral at 12:36 AM on January 28, 2009
This thread is closed to new comments.
You might benefit from a trip to the clinic, but you're probably safe. Lice and nits generally thrive where there are lots of people living in close quarters, such as the trenches or kindergarten classrooms. Since you don't seem to be in either situation, there's probably little chance you have lice.
However, it is winter (I'm assuming you live in the northern hemisphere), and winter air is often cold and dry. If you live in a home heated with forced air, the air will be warm and dry.
The dry air will dry out your scalp, making it itch and flake.
As well, your choice of shampoo matters. I absolutely cannot use any shampoo, including Head & Shoulders, off the shelf of the supermarket. The only shampoo that I can use is the ginger stuff sold by the Body Shop. Anything else gives me dandruff.
Rinsing your scalp off after shampooing is important.
I've had these scalp problems for most of my adult life. I can remember waking up at night when I was 16 or so with an itchy scalp. And it's been that way, on and off, ever since.
posted by KokuRyu at 7:56 AM on January 27, 2009