How can you check if you have lice on your head? - briefly
Inspect the scalp by parting wet hair and running a fine‑toothed nit comb from the roots to the tips, checking for live insects or oval, yellow‑brown eggs firmly attached within ¼‑inch of the scalp. If any are found, the presence of lice is confirmed.
How can you check if you have lice on your head? - in detail
Detecting a head‑lice infestation requires systematic visual and tactile examination. Begin with a well‑lit environment; natural daylight or a bright lamp provides optimal contrast. Use a fine‑toothed lice comb (0.2–0.3 mm spacing) that is clean and dry.
- Wet the hair with a small amount of conditioner or water; this immobilizes lice and makes strands easier to separate.
- Part the hair into sections no wider than 2 cm, starting at the scalp and moving outward.
- Run the comb through each section from the roots to the tips in a single, steady stroke.
- After each pass, wipe the comb on a white tissue or rinse it in a bowl of water to expose any captured organisms.
- Inspect the comb for live lice (gray‑brown, 2–4 mm, six legs) and for nits (oval, 0.8 mm, attached to the hair shaft within 1 cm of the scalp).
- Repeat the process on the entire scalp, including behind ears, at the nape, and along the hairline.
Additional verification steps improve accuracy:
- Use a magnifying lens (10×) to examine any suspect particles.
- Feel the scalp for movement; live lice may twitch when brushed.
- Conduct a “wet‑comb” test: after combing, leave the hair damp for 10 minutes, then re‑comb to capture any lice that escaped the first pass.
Distinguish nits from dandruff by their attachment angle and proximity to the scalp. Nits are cemented at a 45‑degree angle and cannot be brushed off easily, while dandruff flakes are loosely attached and fall away.
If live lice or viable nits are found, initiate treatment promptly and consider confirming the diagnosis with a healthcare professional, especially when symptoms persist after initial therapy.