How can you determine that you have lice? - briefly
Examine the scalp and hair for live insects and for tiny, oval nits firmly attached to the shaft within a half‑inch of the scalp, especially behind the ears and at the nape. Use a fine‑tooth comb on wet hair, then inspect the comb teeth under a light to verify any findings.
How can you determine that you have lice? - in detail
Lice infestations become apparent through specific visual and tactile clues. The adult insects are about the size of a sesame seed, gray‑brown, and move quickly across the scalp. Their eggs, called nits, are oval, about 0.8 mm long, and adhere firmly to hair shafts near the scalp. Because nits are glued in place, they do not fall off easily and are most commonly found within a half‑inch of the hair root.
Key indicators include:
- Itching that intensifies after a few days, caused by an allergic reaction to lice saliva.
- Small, dark specks on the hair shaft or clothing; these may be live insects or shed skins.
- Visible nits that appear as tiny, translucent or brownish ovals, often mistaken for dandruff but remaining stationary when the hair is moved.
- A feeling of movement or crawling on the scalp, especially when the head is examined in bright light.
To confirm an infestation, perform a systematic inspection:
- Separate a small section of hair close to the scalp with a fine‑toothed comb.
- Pull the hair taut and run the comb from the root toward the tip, wiping the comb after each pass onto a white surface.
- Examine the comb and hair under good illumination. Live lice will be visible as moving insects; nits will appear as immobile, oval structures attached at an angle of 30–45° to the hair shaft.
- Repeat the process on several sections of the head, covering the nape, behind the ears, and the crown, where lice tend to concentrate.
If no lice or nits are observed after multiple thorough examinations, the likelihood of an infestation is low. However, a single missed nit can develop into a full outbreak, so repeat checks over several days are advisable when suspicion remains. Distinguish nits from dandruff by gently moving the hair; nits stay fixed, while dandruff flakes shift freely.