How to find lice on children? - briefly
Inspect the scalp and hair near the neck, behind the ears, and at the crown, using a fine‑tooth comb on wet hair to expose live insects or attached eggs. Look for grayish nits firmly glued to hair shafts and for signs of itching or visible movement of parasites.
How to find lice on children? - in detail
Detecting head‑lice infestations in children requires systematic visual inspection and awareness of common signs.
Begin with a thorough scalp examination. Use a fine‑tooth comb (often called a lice comb) on wet, conditioned hair. Separate sections of hair from the scalp, pulling each strand taut, and run the comb from the roots to the tips. After each pass, wipe the comb on a white tissue or paper towel; live insects appear as brown or gray specks, while nits (eggs) are tiny, oval, and firmly attached to the hair shaft near the scalp.
Key locations to focus on include:
- The nape of the neck
- Behind the ears
- The crown and forehead hairline
- Areas where hair is dense or the child frequently rubs the head
Observe for secondary indicators:
- Persistent itching, especially after a few days
- Small red bumps or sores from scratching
- A sensation of movement on the scalp
If a comb finds a live insect, the infestation is confirmed. If only nits are found, verify they are viable by checking for a solid, white or yellowish appearance; translucent, empty shells indicate they have hatched.
For a more comprehensive assessment, repeat the combing process at least twice, 24–48 hours apart, because newly hatched lice may not be visible initially.
Document findings by noting the number of live lice and viable nits, the areas examined, and any symptoms reported. This record guides treatment decisions and helps monitor effectiveness after remedial measures.