When checking a child for lice, it's easier to spot nits, or the lice eggs. Lice move quickly and are difficult to see at 1/10 to 1/8 of an inch long, according to the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Lice nits, which adhere to hair shafts close to the scalp, are more likely to be noticed. The two primary signs to watch for that may indicate children have a lice infestation are excessive scalp scratching and the presence of small, dark dots on the skin around the head, on their collars or on their pillowcases. The dark spots could be lice feces.
Step 1
Sit your child down in front of you under a bright, direct light source. If possible, have him lean over a piece of white paper or a pale-colored cloth. NetDoctor recommends this so you may be able to see lice fall out of the hair during combing.
Step 2
Comb your child's hair with a standard comb to remove knots and tangles. This can be done while the child's hair is dry or wet, notes NetDoctor.
Step 3
Run a lice comb or other fine-tooth comb systematically through your child's hair, outward from right against the scalp.
Step 4
Examine the comb closely for lice after each run through your child's hair. If you see any, rinse the comb off in the sink.
Step 5
Pull aside your child's hair with a comb and examine every inch of the scalp closely with a magnifying glass. Look for nits or lice fecal spots. Pay particular attention to the areas around the ears and near the nape of the neck, a common place for lice and their eggs, according to the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.
Tips and Warnings
- Lice typically lay their eggs within half an inch from the scalp, and an infestation can result anywhere from a few to several hundred eggs, says the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Dandruff can be mistaken for nits. Dandruff, however, is irregularly shaped and will shake free, while nits are round and stick to the hair. If your child has thick hair, washing it with conditioner first usually makes it easier to run a fine-tooth comb through it, advises NetDoctor. Nits generally hatch in eight or nine days, and lice live for approximately a month or a little longer, according to the North Carolina State University Center for Integrated Pest Management.
Things You'll Need
- Lamp
- White paper or cloth
- Comb
- Nit comb
- Magnifying glass
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