How can you check if you have lice? - briefly
Examine the scalp and hair with a fine‑toothed comb on wet, conditioned hair, looking for live insects or their oval, yellow‑brown eggs attached within a quarter‑inch of the scalp. Focus on the nape, behind the ears, and the crown, where lice most often reside.
How can you check if you have lice? - in detail
Detecting a lice infestation requires a systematic visual and tactile examination of the hair and scalp. Begin by selecting a well‑lit area, preferably natural daylight or a bright lamp, to enhance visibility of the insects and their eggs. Separate the hair into small sections—about one to two inches wide—using clips or hair ties. This division allows thorough inspection of each area without missing hidden nits.
Use a fine‑tooth lice comb, preferably with teeth spaced 0.2 mm apart. Place the comb at the scalp level and pull it through the hair slowly, from root to tip. After each pass, wipe the comb on a white tissue or rinse it in a bowl of water to reveal any captured organisms. Continue combing each section until no additional debris appears.
While combing, look for the following indicators:
- Live insects: gray‑brown, wingless bodies about the size of a sesame seed, moving quickly across the scalp or clinging to hair shafts.
- Nits: oval, white or yellowish eggs firmly attached to the hair shaft within ¼ inch of the scalp. They appear immobile and are resistant to removal; a gentle tug should not dislodge them.
- Brown or black specks: may be fecal matter from lice. Rubbing a damp cloth over the scalp can reveal these stains, which do not wash away easily.
If visual confirmation is uncertain, repeat the combing process on a second day. Lice eggs hatch within 7–10 days, so a follow‑up inspection helps identify newly emerged nymphs that were previously missed.
Additional verification methods include:
- Magnification – Use a handheld magnifying glass (10×) to examine suspected nits, distinguishing them from dandruff by their attachment angle and size.
- Adhesive tape test – Press clear medical tape to the scalp, then inspect the tape under a light source for trapped lice or nits.
- Professional assessment – A healthcare provider can perform a dermoscopic examination, offering definitive identification.
When any live lice or firmly attached nits are found, initiate treatment promptly and repeat the combing procedure after 7–10 days to eliminate hatching eggs. Absence of these signs after two thorough examinations, spaced a week apart, indicates that the infestation has been cleared.