How to get rid of nits: What you need to know
How can you get rid of nits? Learn to distinguish the facts from the fiction with these tips from the professionals at Head Lice Checker.
Feb 21, 2026 · 4 min read
TL;DR
Nits are lice eggs. To get rid of them: treat with a silicone- or oil-based product, then comb daily with a fine metal comb for 7–10 days. Repeat treatment after a week to catch newly hatched lice. Dead nits may stay attached but won't hatch.
Will dead nits fall out eventually?
Yes. As hair grows, empty nit casings move away from the scalp and eventually fall out or can be combed away. They're harmless once the lice inside have died.
Do lice eventually die off?
Lice die within 1–2 days off the scalp. On the scalp, they live about 30 days and keep laying eggs. Treatment breaks the cycle: kill live lice, remove or loosen eggs, repeat to catch hatchlings.
For a full guide, see our head lice treatment article. More in facts about nits. Check first.