Lice, small bugs that live on the scalp of humans and feed off their blood, are common in the United States. In fact, 6 million to 12 million cases of head lice occur in children ages 3 to 11 each year, according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Head lice is very contagious, and most people would prefer to know if they have the condition as soon as possible so they can seek treatment.
Step 1
Find an adequate light source. MedlinePlus recommends checking for lice in the daylight under the full sun if possible, but otherwise any bright light will do.
Step 2
Although it may be possible to check for lice by only using the naked eye, using a magnifying glass will make the process much easier.
Step 3
Examine hair for lice. Take one section of hair and examine it from the scalp. The lice will be tan or gray and are about the size of a sesame seed. They are not attached to the hair and move quickly, so look for movement in addition to the actual insects.
Step 4
Examine hair for nits. Nits, the eggs of the lice, are typically easier to spot than lice, as nits stay in one spot. Nits are white and are typically the size of a knot in a thread, according to parenting website BabyCenter.com. Nits are often confused with a flake of dandruff. To determine if it is a nit or a dandruff flake, try to pull it off the strand of hair. Dandruff flakes should easily detach from the hair strand, while nits will stay firmly in place.
Step 5
Consult a doctor if a case of head lice is suspected but no nits or lice can be found. A doctor may be able to perform a more thorough examination and give a more conclusive answer.
Tips and Warnings
- The Australian health website Better Health Channel offers an alternative approach to checking for lice. It suggests combing conditioner to dry hair, removing the conditioner from of the hair with a paper towel or tissue, then checking the conditioner residue on the paper towel or tissue and the comb for lice or nits. This method should be repeated multiple times on every section of hair. The nape of the neck and the hair behind the ears are a favorite spot for lice, suggests KidsHealth.org, so checking there first is a good idea.
- Lice are very contagious. People with a suspected case of head lice should avoid any physical contact with other people until it is proven they do not have lice or until treatment is completed.
Things You'll Need
- Light source
- Magnifying glass
