How to find lice on yourself?

How to find lice on yourself? - briefly

Inspect the scalp and hair with a fine‑tooth comb under bright light, searching for live «lice» or their attached «nits» near the roots. Pay particular attention to the nape of the neck and behind the ears, where infestations are most frequent.

How to find lice on yourself? - in detail

Detecting a personal head‑lice infestation requires systematic visual inspection and tactile confirmation.

Begin with a clean, well‑lit environment. Natural daylight or a bright lamp reduces shadows that can conceal insects. Separate the hair into sections using a fine‑toothed comb or a lice‑detection comb, starting at the scalp and moving outward.

Key indicators during inspection:

  • Live insects measuring 2–3 mm, resembling tiny grayish‑white or brownish specks.
  • Nits (eggs) attached firmly to hair shafts within ¼ inch of the scalp; they appear as oval, white or yellowish bodies.
  • Brownish or dark spots on the scalp, caused by dried blood from feeding.
  • Persistent itching, especially after washing or styling, that does not subside with typical scalp treatments.

Confirm each suspect by gently pulling the hair strand. A live louse will move when disturbed; a nit will remain immobile and will not detach easily.

If any of the above signs are present, repeat the combing process on each section for at least five minutes to ensure thorough coverage. Document the findings with photographs if needed for professional consultation.

For accurate results, perform the examination twice a week over a two‑week period, as nits hatch within 7–10 days. Continuous monitoring eliminates false negatives and guides appropriate treatment.