How can you tell that lice have appeared? - briefly
The appearance of tiny, oval eggs attached firmly to hair shafts near the scalp, accompanied by itching and the sight of small, grayish insects, signals an infestation. Visible crawling lice or brown specks that move when hair is brushed confirm their presence.
How can you tell that lice have appeared? - in detail
Detecting a head‑lice infestation requires careful visual inspection and attention to specific signs.
The adult parasite measures 2–4 mm, has a flattened body, and moves quickly through hair shafts. Visible specimens may appear as tiny, translucent or brownish insects near the scalp, especially behind the ears and at the nape of the neck.
Nymphs, or “lice babies,” are smaller (about 1 mm) and often less noticeable, but their presence can be confirmed by finding their shed exoskeletons, known as nits. Nits are oval, 0.8 mm long, and firmly attached to the hair shaft at a 30‑degree angle. They differ from dandruff because they do not flake off easily; a gentle combing motion will not dislodge them.
Key indicators include:
- Persistent itching on the scalp, particularly after exposure to other people’s hair or shared items.
- Presence of live insects or moving bodies on the scalp or in the hair.
- Small, white or yellowish ovals adhered close to the scalp, often clustered near the hair roots.
- Red or irritated spots where lice have bitten, sometimes accompanied by secondary infection.
A systematic examination involves parting the hair in sections of 1–2 cm, using a fine‑toothed lice comb on a well‑lit surface. Each section should be inspected from the scalp outward, looking for both live parasites and nits. Repeating the process over three consecutive days increases detection accuracy, as newly hatched nymphs become visible after 7–10 days.
If any of the above signs are observed, the likelihood of an infestation is high, and prompt treatment measures should be implemented.