No, dead lice typically do not fall out of hair on their own.
Dead lice, similar to their eggs (nits), remain attached to the hair shaft due to a glue-like substance secreted by the female louse when she lays the egg. This substance acts as a strong adhesive, ensuring the nit stays firmly in place. Even after the louse dies, this glue remains intact, preventing the dead louse from easily detaching.
Think of it like this: the glue is designed to protect the nit until it hatches, and it doesn't dissolve or weaken just because the louse is no longer alive. The dead louse essentially remains cemented to the hair.
Therefore, to remove dead lice and nits, you generally need to:
- Manually remove them: Using a fine-toothed nit comb to physically pull them off the hair shaft. This is the most common and effective method.
- Use chemical treatments: Certain shampoos and lotions contain ingredients designed to loosen the glue and make it easier to remove nits and dead lice.
- Wait for the hair to grow out: Eventually, the hair with the dead lice attached will grow out and be cut off. This is not a practical solution for immediate removal, however.
In summary, don't expect dead lice to simply fall out of the hair. Active intervention is required to effectively get rid of them.
