When an infestation of head lice is treated, small specks or insects may still be visible in the hair. Successful treatment means these organisms are no longer alive. The confusion arises because people expect dead parasites to simply fall away. However, the physical mechanics of how lice and their eggs attach to the hair shaft prevent them from immediately dropping out.
What Happens to Dead Adult Lice?
Dead adult lice and nymphs do not instantly detach after being killed by a treatment. These insects possess six legs, each ending in a specialized claw adapted for tightly clinging to the hair shaft. This powerful grip is maintained even after the louse dies. Finding a dead louse confirms the product worked, but since the bodies remain clamped to the hair, physical removal is necessary to clear the scalp.
Why Dead Nits Remain Attached
The situation is different for nits, which are the eggs of the louse. Nits are affixed to the hair shaft using a strong, cement-like substance secreted by the female louse during laying. This substance acts like a biological glue, bonding the nit firmly to the hair.
Standard chemical treatments do not compromise this adhesive material. Whether the nit is dead, alive, or an empty shell, the glue keeps it securely in place until the hair is cut or the nit is manually removed. Because nits are typically laid close to the scalp, their distance from the root can indicate the timeline of the infestation.
Effective Strategies for Clearing Hair
Since neither dead adult lice nor nits reliably fall out on their own, physical removal is required after treatment. The most effective method is using a specialized fine-toothed comb, often called a nit comb. This tool is designed with narrow spacing to scrape the dead parasites and eggs from the hair shaft.
The process of wet combing is highly recommended because it immobilizes any remaining live lice and facilitates the comb’s passage. To perform this, wash the hair and saturate it with conditioner for lubrication. Separate the hair into small sections, drawing the nit comb slowly from the roots to the ends, wiping the comb clean after every stroke. This meticulous combing should be repeated across the entire scalp every few days to ensure all debris is removed and any newly hatched lice are caught.