How can you know if you have lice on you? - briefly
Examine the scalp and hair for live insects or oval, yellow‑white nits firmly attached to shafts near the roots, focusing on the nape, behind the ears, and crown. Run a fine‑toothed comb through wet hair to confirm the presence of lice or their eggs.
How can you know if you have lice on you? - in detail
Lice infestations become apparent through specific physical signs and observable behaviors. The following points describe how to verify their presence.
Typical indicators include:
- Persistent itching, especially around the scalp, neck, and ears, caused by an allergic reaction to saliva.
- Small, white or yellowish oval structures (nits) attached firmly to hair shafts within a half‑inch of the scalp; they appear translucent when empty and brown when hatched.
- Live insects, about the size of a sesame seed, moving quickly across the scalp or clinging to hair.
- Irritation or redness on the skin where lice bite.
To confirm an infestation, perform a systematic inspection:
- Prepare the area – Use a bright light source and, if possible, a magnifying glass. Wet the hair with a conditioner or water to immobilize the insects.
- Separate the hair – Divide the scalp into sections (front, crown, back, sides). Work from the root outward, holding each strand taut.
- Examine each strand – Look closely for nits positioned at a 45‑degree angle relative to the hair shaft. Nits that are firmly glued cannot be brushed away easily.
- Use a fine‑tooth lice comb – Run the comb through wet hair from scalp to tip, wiping the teeth after each pass. Deposit any caught material onto a white surface for visual confirmation.
- Check the comb – If live lice or nits are visible on the comb, the infestation is confirmed.
If visual inspection proves inconclusive, a commercial lice detection kit can be employed. These kits contain a specialized comb and detailed instructions for a repeatable, standardized search.
Distinguishing nits from dandruff or hair debris is crucial. Dandruff flakes are loose, light, and easily brushed away, whereas nits remain attached to the hair shaft and are resistant to removal.
After detection, immediate treatment should follow, accompanied by cleaning of personal items (combs, hats, bedding) using hot water or sealed containment for at least two weeks to prevent re‑infestation.