How can lice presence be checked? - briefly
Examine the scalp and hair closely for live insects, nits attached to the shaft close to the skin, and persistent itching. Use a fine‑tooth comb on wet, conditioned hair, sectioning the strands to verify any infestation.
How can lice presence be checked? - in detail
Detecting a head‑lice infestation requires systematic examination of the scalp, hair shafts, and personal items.
Begin with a thorough visual scan. Part the hair in sections of 2‑3 cm, using a bright lamp or a handheld magnifier. Look for live insects, which are approximately 2–3 mm long, gray‑brown, and move quickly. Also search for nits—oval, yellow‑white eggs firmly attached to the base of each hair strand, about 0.8 mm in size. Nits that are firmly cemented cannot be slid easily along the shaft; loose nits usually indicate recent shedding.
Employ a fine‑tooth (0.2 mm) lice comb. Wet the hair with conditioner or water to reduce slip, then comb from the scalp outward in a single, steady stroke. After each pass, wipe the comb on a white tissue or paper towel; any captured lice or nits are readily visible. Repeat the process for the entire head, especially behind the ears and at the nape.
Inspect clothing, hats, scarves, and hair accessories. Place each item on a flat surface and run the comb over any fabric that contacts the scalp. For bedding, remove pillowcases, sheets, and blankets; shake them outdoors and wash at 60 °C (140 °F) for at least 30 minutes. Drying on high heat for 30 minutes further reduces survivorship.
Consider a commercial detection kit. These typically contain a small vial of liquid louse‑kill solution and a disposable comb. Apply a few drops to a hair section, comb, and examine the collected material under a magnifier. The solution immobilizes live insects, simplifying identification.
If personal inspection yields ambiguous results, seek professional assessment. Trained personnel use a handheld microscope (10–30× magnification) to differentiate between lice, nits, and hair debris.
Maintain a schedule of re‑examination. Perform the combing procedure every 2–3 days for two weeks after the initial detection, as newly hatched lice emerge within 7–10 days. Consistent monitoring prevents missed infestations and confirms the effectiveness of treatment.