Head lice are tiny insects that live on the scalp and in the hair. They are parasitic by nature, feeding on blood from the skin of the scalp. Very contagious, head lice are a common problem among schoolchildren. MayoClinic.com identifies head lice infestation as one of the most communicable diseases among children, second only to the common cold. Head lice can occur in any socioeconomic group, and does not indicate poor hygiene. If you notice your child scratching her scalp, examine her for head lice.
Step 1
Put on a pair of rubber surgical gloves. Use a magnifying glass and bright light to help to make the examination easier and differentiate nits from simple dandruff.
Step 2
Part your child's hair using a rat-tailed comb. Check near your child's scalp and along the hair shafts for any indications of lice.
Step 3
Examine all areas of your child's hair, parting sections of the hair with the comb. For shorter hair, simply search through the hair in sections using your fingers. Focus particular attention on the nape of the neck and behind the ears, which are favorite locations for lice to inhabit.
Step 4
Look for active, live lice on the scalp or clinging to hair follicles, oval-shaped eggs, commonly called nits, attached to hair follicles, and lice feces, which appear as small black specks on the scalp. Also look for small, red bumps on the scalp and neck that result from louse bites.
Step 5
Run a fine-toothed nit comb through your child's hair over a sheet of paper. Examine the paper and the comb carefully for any lice or nits that combing the hair removes.
Step 6
Comb through your child's hair with a special electronic comb specifically designed to detect head lice, as an alternative to other examination methods. Listen for the comb to emit a soft, high-pitched hum that stops when the comb detects the presence of lice. Use this comb only on dry hair and avoid contact with skin while combing your child's hair. According to the University of Nebraska, these combs cost around $30 on average.
Tips and Warnings
- Several over-the-counter head lice treatments are available in drug stores. These treatments typically contain a mild insecticide that kills both lice and their nits. Multiple treatments may be necessary. A nit comb to remove both lice and nits may also help in the treatment process.
Things You'll Need
- Rubber gloves
- Magnifying glass
- Bright light
- Nit comb
- Sheet of white paper
