How to check hair for ticks? - briefly
Inspect the scalp and hair by parting strands and running your fingertips from the roots to the tips, watching for small, dark, oval‑shaped parasites. Use a fine‑toothed comb on damp hair, examine the comb after each pass, and remove any ticks immediately with tweezers.
How to check hair for ticks? - in detail
Inspecting a person’s hair for attached ticks requires a systematic approach, proper lighting, and suitable tools. Begin by selecting a well‑lit area, preferably with natural daylight or a bright lamp. Use a fine‑toothed comb or a tick‑removal brush; these devices separate hair strands and expose the scalp surface.
- Part the hair in sections about 2–3 cm wide, starting at the crown and moving outward.
- Run the comb through each section from scalp to tip, applying gentle pressure to capture any engorged or flat ticks.
- After each pass, examine the comb teeth on a white surface or against a contrasting background. Look for small, dark, or reddish specks; a live tick may appear as a rounded, brownish object, while a detached mouthpart will look like a tiny black dot.
- If a potential tick is found, use fine tweezers to grasp it as close to the skin as possible and pull straight upward with steady force. Avoid twisting, which can leave mouthparts embedded.
- Place removed specimens in a sealed container with alcohol for identification, or discard them in a sealed bag if no further analysis is needed.
- Repeat the process for the entire scalp, including the back of the neck and behind the ears, where ticks commonly attach.
After completion, wash the examined area with soap and water, and disinfect the comb and tweezers with an alcohol solution. Document any findings, noting the tick’s developmental stage (larva, nymph, adult) and location on the head, as this information guides subsequent medical advice. Regular checks—especially after outdoor activities in tick‑infested regions—reduce the risk of disease transmission.