How can I find out if you have lice or not? - briefly
Inspect the scalp and hair in good lighting, searching for live insects or oval, white eggs (nits) attached within a quarter‑inch of the hair shaft, and run a fine‑tooth comb through each section to capture any specimens. Presence of moving lice or confirmed nits indicates an infestation.
How can I find out if you have lice or not? - in detail
To confirm the presence of head‑lice, follow a systematic examination and, if necessary, employ diagnostic tools.
First, conduct a visual inspection. Use a fine‑toothed comb (often called a lice comb) on dry or slightly damp hair. Separate the hair into small sections, starting at the scalp and moving outward. After each pass, wipe the comb on a white tissue or a black surface; live insects appear as brown or gray bodies, while nits (eggs) are tiny, oval, and firmly attached to the hair shaft near the scalp.
Key visual indicators include:
- Small, mobile insects about the size of a sesame seed.
- Oval, yellow‑white eggs cemented within ¼ inch of the scalp.
- Itching or a tickling sensation, especially after prolonged periods without shampooing.
- Red or irritated spots where insects have bitten.
If the comb reveals no insects but symptoms persist, repeat the inspection after 7–10 days, when newly hatched lice become visible.
Second, consider a microscopic examination. Some pharmacies sell portable microscopes that magnify hair strands, allowing clear differentiation between lice, nits, and hair debris.
Third, seek professional assessment. Dermatologists or trained school health personnel can perform a thorough scalp examination using a loupe or dermatoscope, confirming infestation with certainty.
Finally, confirmatory steps after treatment include:
- Perform a post‑treatment combing session 24 hours after the first application.
- Repeat the combing every 2–3 days for two weeks to catch any hatching nits.
- Wash all bedding, hats, and personal items in hot water (≥130 °F) or seal them in plastic bags for two weeks.
By combining meticulous combing, optional magnification, and professional verification, one can reliably determine whether a person is infested with head‑lice.