How to recognize lice? - briefly
Look for live insects about the size of a sesame seed clinging to hair shafts and for tiny, oval eggs (nits) firmly attached near the scalp. Itching, along with visible specks of blood or fecal residue on hair or shoulders, also indicates infestation.
How to recognize lice? - in detail
Detecting head‑lice infestations requires a systematic visual inspection of the scalp and hair. Adult lice are small, wingless insects about 2–4 mm long, with a gray‑brown, flattened body and six legs that end in claw‑like hooks. Their bodies are often translucent, allowing the internal gut contents to be seen as a faint orange or brown hue.
Key indicators of an infestation include:
- Live insects moving quickly across the scalp or hair shafts.
- Nits (lice eggs) attached firmly to the side of a hair strand within ¼ inch of the scalp; they appear as oval, white or yellowish cemented bodies.
- Nits that are difficult to dislodge by gentle pulling; they require a fine‑toothed comb to be removed.
- Small, reddish‑brown bite marks on the neck, ears, or shoulders, often accompanied by itching.
- Scratching that leads to secondary skin irritation or infection.
Effective examination steps:
- Separate a small section of hair close to the scalp, preferably behind the ears and at the nape of the neck.
- Use a magnifying lens (10×) or a well‑lit environment to enhance visibility.
- Run a fine‑toothed lice comb from the scalp outward, examining each strand for moving insects or attached eggs.
- Repeat the process on multiple sections, covering the entire head, because lice may cluster in specific regions.
- After combing, place any collected debris on a white surface; live lice will move, while empty egg shells remain stationary.
Differentiating lice from other scalp debris:
- Dandruff and skin flakes are loose, easily removable, and do not adhere tightly to hair shafts.
- Nits are glued to the hair cuticle, often at an angle, and cannot be brushed away without breaking the cement.
- Live lice exhibit rapid, hopping movement; dandruff remains static.
A thorough inspection, combined with the above visual cues, provides a reliable method for confirming the presence of head‑lice infestations.