Just Discovered This in My Son’s Hair — What Is It?

It all begins during a simple nighttime routine—brushing your child’s hair—when you notice something odd: a tiny moving dot or white specks on the scalp. You might feel alarmed. Is it lice? Dandruff? Something else?

Take a moment to stay calm. Most scalp and hair conditions in children are manageable. Start by examining closely: if it moves, it’s probably a louse; if it’s stuck on hair strands, it could be a nit; if it flakes off, it may just be dandruff.

Some common causes include head lice, scabies, and dandruff. Head lice are small tan insects about the size of a sesame seed that cause itching, especially around the ears and neck. Nits are their eggs, stuck firmly near the scalp.

Scabies, caused by skin-burrowing mites, leads to intense itching, especially at night. Rashes may appear on the scalp, hands, or other body areas.

To check for lice, use a nit comb on wet, conditioned hair. Divide the hair into sections and inspect the scalp, ears, and nape of the neck carefully.

Treat head lice with over-the-counter shampoos containing permethrin. Continue combing every 2–3 days, wash bedding and clothes, and seal hair tools. Don’t use dangerous home remedies like kerosene or extreme heat.

Consult a doctor if you’re unsure what’s causing the symptoms, if there’s an infection, the rash spreads, or lice keep coming back. Prevent future issues by avoiding head-to-head contact, not sharing items, and doing regular checks. Lice aren’t harmful—just irritating and treatable.