How to Check for Lice

Head lice are small wingless parasitic insects that live on the scalp. They can be difficult to spot because they’re only 2-3mm long.^[1] Close examination of the scalp and carefully combing the hair are the only ways to check successfully. It is easier to check another person for lice, but you can also check your own head if you have a few mirrors.

EditSteps

EditKnowing When to Check for Lice

1. Check for itching of the scalp. An itchy scalp is the most common symptom of lice infestation. However, other conditions, including dandruff and scalp eczema, can cause also itchy scalp.^[2] Itchy scalps can also be a sign of an allergic reaction to haircare products such as shampoo, too.^[3]
   
   • Some people who have head lice may not experience itching right away. It can take up to six weeks after infestation for the scalp to begin feeling itchy.^[4]
   • Some people may also feel a “tickling” sensation on their scalp or head, as though something is moving or crawling.^[5]
2. Check for white flakes on the scalp or in hair. White flakes may be caused by dandruff or scalp eczema. They may also be caused by an allergic reaction to shampoos and other haircare products. However, these “flakes” may actually be lice eggs (nits).^[6]
   
   • Dandruff commonly occurs throughout the hair. Lice eggs commonly occur closer to the scalp and are not as widespread as dandruff flakes.
   • If you cannot easily brush or shake the flakes off the hair or scalp, they may be lice eggs.
3. Examine clothes for lice. Lice may find their way into your home on clothes or bedding. They cannot fly, but they can jump great distances.^[7]
   
   • You may see small bugs that look like light-brown sesame seeds on clothing, bedding, skin, or hair.

EditGetting Set Up

1. Find a bright light source. Natural light is good if it isn’t filtered through curtains or blinds. Bathroom light is often bright enough. If you need additional light, use a bright flashlight or small desk lamp.^[8]
   
2. Wet the person's hair. This can be done under a faucet or with a spray bottle. Lice can be seen on dry or wet hair, but many people have an easier time spotting lice if the hair is wet.
   
   • Working with wet hair also makes it easier to carefully part sections, and clip the examined sections out of the way so you can continue to check the remainder of the hair.^[9]
3. Recognize adult lice. Adult lice are difficult to see, mainly because they can move quickly and they do not like light. As you separate sections of hair, the adult lice can quickly move back into the hair and into the shadows. Even though an adult louse is tiny, you should be able to see them if you can read the small print of a newspaper.^[10]
   
   • Adult lice are light brown in color, and are about the size of a sesame seed. The adults are often found near the scalp area, in the hair just above and behind the ears, and at the hairline around the base of the neck.^[11]
4. Recognize the eggs, also called nits. The eggs are firmly attached, practically cemented, to the hair. Eggs are yellowish-brown, or tan, in color before they hatch, and look like tiny seeds. Freshly laid eggs are shiny, and are often found near the scalp.^[12]
   
5. Identify the hatched nits. Once the eggs, or nits, have hatched, the egg casing remains firmly attached to the hair. The color of the casing is practically clear.^[13]
   

EditExamining the Hair for Lice and Nits

1. Start by separating the wet hair into sections. Divide the hair into small sections, and begin by placing the comb near the scalp. Use either a regular fine tooth comb, or a lice comb, and comb through each section of hair, from close to the scalp to the ends. Comb through each section more than once.^[14]
   
   • Lice combs are available at drug stores. They are smaller than a regular comb, but the teeth in the comb are much closer together to more easily search for lice and nits.^[15]
2. Continue to comb through the hair in sections. As you finish combing a section of the wet hair, use a clip to separate it from the hair you have not yet examined. Comb through each divided section of hair, examining the comb after each pass through the hair.^[16]
   
3. Examine the area around the ears and the base of the neck closely. These areas are places where adult lice and nits are commonly found.^[17]
   
4. Catch a live louse between your thumb and forefinger. If you see something moving, try to catch it between your thumb and forefinger, then tape it to a piece of white paper so you can examine it more closely. It may be helpful to compare what you have found to documented pictures of lice.^[18]
   
   • Catching a louse with your fingers is not dangerous. By doing this, you can confirm that the person you are examining does have a lice infestation.^[19]
5. Don’t confuse dandruff for lice or nits. People of all ages have stuff that gets caught in their hair. Combing through someone’s hair so carefully is likely to reveal dandruff, knotted hair, fabric, and other small things that get lodged in their hair. Nits will not easily comb out since they are cemented to the hair. Use your magnifying glass to examine small things found as you comb through their hair to be sure.^[20]
   
6. Check your own hair for lice. Clearly this is not as easy task, so try to get some help if possible. If you decide to check your own hair by yourself, then follow the same basic steps. Everyone in a household with one infested person should be checked for lice.^[21]
   
7. Wet your hair. Lice and nits can be seen on wet or dry hair, but examining yourself for lice may be easier with your hair wet.^[22]
   
8. Be sure you have enough light. Bathroom lighting is often brighter than the lights in other rooms, plus you will be relying on the bathroom mirrors. If needed, use a small lamp for added light.^[23]
   
9. Use a hand mirror. You will need to closely examine the areas behind and around your ears. Use clips to hold your hair back, and position the hand mirror so you can clearly see the areas you need to examine.^[24]
   
10. Position the mirror to see the back of your neck. Look closely for anything crawling, and for nits or nit casings attached to your hair in this area.^[25]
    
11. Use a fine tooth comb or a lice comb. To best examine your own hair, you will need to separate sections and comb through them several times. Examine the comb thoroughly after each pass through your hair. Continue to use clips the separate the hair you have already examined.^[26]
    
    • Remember to focus on the area around your ears and at the base of your neck. Examining your own hair for lice is difficult, so focusing on the most likely places may help you to determine if you have a lice infestation.^[27]
12. Look closely at the comb. You may want to use a magnifying glass to examine the comb each time you pass it through your hair. Identify dandruff, tangled hair, fabric, and other items carefully. Small, seed-like, casings will be firmly attached and will be difficult to remove, likely removing the hair follicle with it as you pass the comb through. This will allow you to closely examine what is pulled out and what remains in the comb, to determine if you have lice or nits in your hair.^[28]
    

EditTreating Lice

1. Treat the infested person. You can treat head lice using products available without a prescription. Follow the directions closely, including any measures recommended for safety.^[29]
   
2. Begin by asking the person to put on old clothing. This helps just in case the ingredients contained in the treatment damage the clothing. Also be sure the person has washed their hair, but has not applied conditioner.^[30]
   
3. Follow the product directions. Your doctor or pharmacist can help guide you to best product choices. Once the person has been treated following the directions of the product, examine their hair again in about 8 to 12 hours. If you still see lice, but they are moving slowly, then the treatment is still working. Continue with the process of removing as many dead lice and nits as possible by the combing technique.^[31]
   
4. Re-treat if lice are still active. As you examine the hair, notice if the lice are still as active as they were, prior to treatment. If this occurs, follow the package directions to re-treat the person infested.^[32]
   
5. Follow product instructions if re-treatment is needed. Usually, you should re-treat the person’s scalp after one week. Most available products outline how to proceed with a second treatment. Your doctor or pharmacist can help with advice on re-treatment, as well as treating additional family members.^[33]
   
6. Treating the environment. Wash and dry all bedding, towels, and clothing that the person came in contact going back 2 days prior to treatment. Use hot water, and set the dryer temperature to a high heat setting.^[34]
   
   • Items that cannot be washed can be dry cleaned, or put in a tightly sealed plastic bag for 2 weeks.^[35]
7. Soak combs and brushes. Each time a comb or brush is used to remove lice and nits, soak the items for 5 to 10 minutes in hot water that is at least 130°F.^[36]
   
8. Vacuum the floor and furniture. Head lice only live for about 2 days once they are not on a person. Nits are not able to hatch if they are removed from the normal temperature of a human body, and die within a week.^[37]
   
9. Wash clothes and soak combs. Make sure you don’t accidentally cause re-infestation. Wash all clothing and bedding in hot water.^[38] Store unwashable items in airtight plastic bags for two weeks. Soak combs and other hair accessories, such as bobby pins and clips, in hot water for at least 5 minutes.
   
   • Make sure to wash any soft items, such as stuffed animals or pillows, in hot water.
10. Avoid sharing soft items. Lice are often spread to children when they share clothing, hats, scarves, or stuffed animals. Do not allow your child to share these things with others.^[39]
    
    • Do not share soft items between family members until all signs of infestation have disappeared.
11. Continue to closely examine the hair of the infested person. Follow the combing procedure every 2 to 3 days, and for 2 to 3 weeks, to be sure the person has not been re-infested.^[40]
    
12. Allow your child to return to school. After a successful treatment, your child can return to school the next day. Do not keep your child home from school for several days because of lice infestation.^[41]
    
    • Make sure that your child does not make head-to-head contact with other children at school.

EditTips

• Checking for lice on your own head can be extremely difficult. If possible, get someone to help.
• Consider examining other members of the household if you find someone with a lice infestation.
• Lice are transferred from person to person contact. Lice can also spread by contact with items that have been in contact with someone with lice, such as hats, combs, scarves, and headbands. Never share these items with others.
• Lice do not carry bacterial or viral infections.
• Lice can only live for up to 48 hours once they no longer have a human host to feed on.
• Depending on the level of the infestation, you may want to contact your doctor for advice on treatment options, as well as treatment suggestions for the living environment.

EditThings You”ll Need

• Fine tooth comb, or lice comb
• Good lighting
• Magnifying glass
• Spray bottle with water
• Tape
• White paper
• Hand mirror

EditRelated wikiHows

• Kill Head Lice
• Remove Nits from Hair
• Prevent Lice
• Treat Body Lice
• Recognize Head Lice
• Recognize Body Lice Symptoms
• Get Rid of Lice with Products at Home
• Free Your Child from Lice

EditSources and Citations

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