How to check if you have lice on your head? - briefly
Inspect the scalp and hair with a fine‑tooth comb under bright light, searching for live insects and their oval, brownish nits attached within ¼ inch of the hair shaft, especially at the nape, behind the ears, and on the crown. Repeat the examination after 48–72 hours to verify any new findings.
How to check if you have lice on your head? - in detail
Detecting head‑lice infestations requires systematic visual and tactile examination. Begin with a clean, dry scalp; wash hair with regular shampoo, dry thoroughly, and avoid conditioners that may obscure lice.
- Gather a fine‑tooth lice comb (spacing ≤0.3 mm), a bright light source, a magnifying glass (optional), and a white towel or paper.
- Divide hair into sections of 2–3 cm using clips or hair ties.
- Starting at the scalp, pull a section tight and run the comb from the root toward the tip in a single, slow stroke. Wipe the comb on the towel after each pass.
- Examine comb teeth after each stroke; look for live insects (approximately 2–4 mm, gray‑brown, six legs) and for oval, yellow‑white eggs (nits) attached to hair shafts within 1 cm of the scalp.
- Focus on high‑risk zones: behind ears, at the nape of the neck, near the hairline, and under braids or hair extensions.
- Use a magnifying glass to inspect any suspicious specks; live lice move quickly when disturbed, while nits remain stationary.
- Repeat the process for all sections, ensuring each strand is combed at least three times.
If lice or nits are found, remove them with the comb, then wash the comb in hot, soapy water. Clean clothing, bedding, and personal items by washing in hot water (≥60 °C) or sealing in plastic bags for two weeks. Continue examinations every 2–3 days for two weeks to catch newly hatched insects.
Absence of live insects after two thorough examinations, combined with no nits within 1 cm of the scalp, indicates a clear scalp. Regular checks during outbreaks or after contact with an infected individual reduce the risk of unnoticed infestations.