Nits? I think there might be empty egg sacs, but no live ones?

[NewJobNewLife]

My three year d has light blonde hair. After washing her hair over the last week, I've noticed what I think might be empty bit sacs - white, sort of transulcent oval things - in her hair near her scalp.

I have had a good look and can't see any live nits, nor any dark sacs. She hasn't been itching and has no bites or scabs on her scalp. The white 'eggs' are not stuck on to the hairs; they comb out easily or can be brushed off the hairs with a finger.

I am reluctant to treat with a chemical treatment unless she really does have nits. Does this sound like nits, or could it just be dandruff (though there isn't enough of it for dandruff, and it's not like dry flaky skin).

Can you have empty egg sacs with no evidence of live lice or dark eggs?!

I take it she has had lice in the past?

I understand that you shouldn't treat unless you find live lice.

No, I've never seen any lice/eggs before now.

I would think it's incredibly unlikely that there are no lice if you've found empty eggs. It may just be that they're either not big enough or in enough quantity to see yet.

I'd use conditioner and a nitty gritty comb and have a good look. Personally I'd do this every night for a week and then once a week for ever (or at least 3 weeks).

This is some fairly comprehensive info about nits

According MN threads in the past, tea tree shampoo and conditioner (vosene I think) and lavender oil spray are both good preventatives that have worked for others.

It does sound like she has lice in there somewhere, the only way to find out is to get a good nit comb with metal teeth and some cheap conditioner and comb through methodically.

Don't forget everyone else in the family if you find some.