How can you check for lice at home? - briefly
Use a fine‑tooth comb on wet, conditioned hair, combing from the scalp outward while inspecting each section for live insects and oval nits attached within ¼ inch of the skin. Repeat the check after 7–10 days to ensure any remaining eggs have hatched and been removed.
How can you check for lice at home? - in detail
Detecting head‑lice infestations at home requires a systematic visual inspection and the right tools. Begin with a clean, well‑lit area; natural daylight or a bright lamp reduces shadows that can hide nits.
First, prepare a fine‑toothed lice comb (metal or plastic) and a white, non‑slippery surface such as a towel or a sheet of white paper. The contrast makes lice and eggs easier to spot.
- Separate hair into sections. Use hair clips or small rubber bands to divide the scalp into quadrants—front, back, sides, and crown.
- Starting at the scalp, run the comb through a small section, pulling the hair taut. After each pass, wipe the comb on the white surface.
- Examine the surface for live insects (approximately the size of a sesame seed, grayish‑brown) and for nits, which appear as tiny, oval, yellow‑white or brownish shells attached at a 45‑degree angle to the hair shaft.
- Repeat the combing process across all sections, moving the comb slowly to avoid tearing hair and to capture any hidden specimens.
If any lice or nits are found, repeat the combing every 2–3 days for at least two weeks, because newly hatched nymphs become mobile within 5–7 days. Continue until two consecutive examinations reveal no live insects and no viable nits (unhatched nits are typically smaller and have a clear, dome‑shaped appearance).
Additional verification steps:
- Examine the hair of close contacts (family members, classmates) using the same method, as infestations often spread through direct head‑to‑head contact.
- Use a magnifying glass (10×) for borderline cases where nits are faint or hair is dense.
- Record findings in a simple log: date, sections inspected, number of lice and nits observed. This documentation helps track progress and confirms eradication.
After confirming the absence of infestation, wash all bedding, hats, hair accessories, and clothing used in the previous 48 hours in hot water (≥130 °F / 54 °C) and dry on high heat. Vacuum carpets and upholstered furniture to remove stray eggs.
Following this protocol ensures a thorough, repeatable assessment of head‑lice presence without professional assistance.