How can you determine if there are lice on the head? - briefly
Examine the scalp and hair with a fine‑tooth comb under bright light, looking for live insects and oval, brownish eggs attached within a quarter inch of the roots. If any are found, gently pull them; live lice will move, while nits remain firmly affixed.
How can you determine if there are lice on the head? - in detail
Detecting head‑lice infestation requires a systematic visual examination and specific tools.
First, choose a well‑lit area; natural daylight or a bright lamp reduces shadows that can hide small organisms. A magnifying glass (10–20×) clarifies details on the hair shaft.
Second, separate the hair into small sections, starting at the crown and moving outward. Use a fine‑toothed lice comb (spacing 0.2–0.3 mm) and pull each section through the comb slowly. After each pass, wipe the comb on a white tissue or towel; live insects appear as brown or gray bodies, while empty shells (nits) are oval, white, and firmly attached to the shaft within ¼ inch of the scalp.
Third, inspect the scalp directly. Look for nits attached at an angle, often near the hairline, behind the ears, and at the nape. Feel for any crawling movement or a “tickling” sensation, which may indicate active lice.
Fourth, differentiate nits from dandruff or hair debris. Dandruff is loose, easily brushed away; nits are glued to the hair with a cement‑like substance and do not slide off when the hair is moved.
Fifth, if uncertainty remains, repeat the wet‑combing method: dampen hair with water or a lice‑treatment spray, then comb as described. Wet hair immobilizes lice, making them easier to capture.
Optional confirmation can be obtained with a commercial lice detection kit that includes a pre‑treated comb and a clear plastic window for microscopic inspection.
A concise checklist for reliable detection:
- Bright lighting and magnification
- Fine‑toothed comb, section hair in 1‑inch strands
- Examine scalp, behind ears, nape, crown
- Identify live insects (brown/gray) and firmly attached nits (white, angled)
- Distinguish nits from dandruff (loose, removable)
- Repeat wet‑combing if initial pass is negative but symptoms persist
Following these steps provides a definitive assessment of whether an infestation is present.