Content

• Steps
• Part 1 of 4: When to Look for Lice
• Part 2 of 4: Preparation
• Part 3 of 4: Examine your hair for lice and nits
• Part 4 of 4: How to Get Rid of Lice
• Tips
• What do you need

Head lice are small, wingless, parasitic insects that live on the scalp. Lice are difficult to detect due to their small size, only 2-3 mm in length. The only way to identify them is to carefully examine the scalp, combing your hair thoroughly. Examining another person's head is easier than examining yourself, but it’s not a problem if you have multiple mirrors.

Steps

Part 1 of 4: When to Look for Lice

1. 1 Examine the scalp if there is itching. Itchy scalp is the most common symptom of head lice. However, the scalp can itch for other reasons, such as dandruff or eczema of the scalp. Itchy scalp can also be a sign of an allergic reaction to hair care products such as shampoo.
   • Some people with lice may not experience itching right away. After a scalp infection, it can take up to 6 weeks before itching occurs.
   • Some people feel "tickling", as if something is moving or crawling over the head.
2. 2 Look closely for white scales on your scalp or hair. White scales can be caused by dandruff or eczema of the scalp. In addition, they can appear as a result of an allergic reaction to shampoos and other hair care products. However, these scales may actually be lice eggs (nits).
   • Dandruff tends to appear on all hair. Lice, on the other hand, lay eggs closer to the scalp and there are not as many of them as dandruff flakes.
   • If you can't easily peel off or brush off scales from your hair or scalp, these may be lice eggs.
3. 3 Check your clothes for lice. Lice can enter the house on clothing or bedding. They cannot fly, but they can jump long distances.
   • You may find small bugs, similar to light brown sesame seeds, on clothing, bedding, skin, or hair.

Part 2 of 4: Preparation

1. 1 Find a bright light source. Natural light will do if it doesn't pass through curtains or blinds. Most often, a bright enough light in the bathroom. If this light is not enough for you, use a bright flashlight or a small table lamp.
2. 2 Get your hair wet. This can be done under a tap or with a spray bottle. Lice can be spotted on both dry and damp hair, but many people find it easier to spot them on damp hair.
   • When the hair is damp, it is easier to separate the strands and hold them in such a position to thoroughly examine the entire head.
3. 3 Identify the adults. Adult lice are fast moving and don't like light, making them difficult to see. While you are separating the strands, the adults will try to hide in the shaded part of the hair. Despite the tiny size of an adult louse, you should be able to see it if you can read the fine newspaper print.
   • Adult lice are light brown in color, about the size of a sesame seed. Adults are often found on the scalp, behind and above the ears, and around the base of the neck.
4. 4 Identify eggs called nits. The eggs are very firmly adhered to the hair, as if they were glued to it. Before hatching, they are yellowish brown or bronze in color and look like tiny seeds. Newly laid eggs are shiny and can be found on the scalp.
5. 5 Identify the hatched nits. After the nits hatch, the shell of the egg remains firmly attached to the hair. The shell is practically colorless.

Part 3 of 4: Examine your hair for lice and nits

1. 1 First, divide your wet hair into small sections. Then, place the comb against your scalp. Use either a regular fleece comb or a lice comb. Comb through each section from the scalp to the ends of your hair. Comb each section several times.
   • Special combs (or combs) for combing out lice can be purchased at the pharmacy. They are smaller than normal combs and have more frequently spaced teeth, making it easier to comb out lice and nits.
2. 2 Move from one strand to another. While combing through wet hair, use a clip to separate the checked hair from the unchecked hair. After combing through the entire length of your hair, carefully examine the comb.
3. 3 Look closely at the areas around the ears and at the base of the neck. Usually, adult lice and nits can be found in these places.
4. 4 Catch a live louse with your thumb and forefinger. If you notice any movement, try to grab the louse with your thumb and forefinger, and then tape it to a sheet of white paper for a closer look. Once caught, you can make sure that this is really a louse by comparing it with photographs of lice.
   • It is not dangerous to catch lice with your fingers. This will help you determine that the person being examined does indeed have lice.
5. 5 Don't confuse regular dandruff with lice or nits. Anything can get into the hair. Thoroughly brushing someone's hair can lead to dandruff, tangled hair, threads, and other small objects stuck in the hair. Since nits stick to the hair, they are difficult to comb out. Use a magnifying glass to examine what is found in the hair and find out what it is.
6. 6 Check for lice in your hair. This is not easy to do, so ask someone to help you. If you still have to do it yourself, then use the tips below. If someone in the family is infected with lice, then all family members should be examined.
7. 7 Get your hair wet. Lice can be noticed on both dry and damp hair, but if you examine yourself on your own, it is easier to do this when your hair is damp.
8. 8 Make sure there is enough light in the room. There is usually more light in the bathroom than in other rooms, moreover, it will be convenient for you to look into the mirrors hanging there. If you need more light, you can use a small lamp.
9. 9 Use a hand mirror. Look closely behind and around your ears. Use the hair clips to secure the hair at the back. Hold the hand mirror so that it is convenient for you to see certain areas of the head.
10. 10 Position the mirror to look at the back of your head. Look closely to see if nothing is crawling there. Also look for nits and their shells glued to the hair.
11. 11 Use a backbrush or nit comb. To thoroughly examine your hair, you will need to divide it into strands and comb each one several times. After running the comb through your hair, examine it carefully. Use a hair clip to separate the checked strands from the unchecked ones.
    • Be sure to look around the ears and at the base of the neck.Since it is very difficult to find lice in your own hair, you need to especially carefully look at the areas where they are most often found.
12. 12 Examine the comb carefully. Every time you run the comb through your hair, examine it with a magnifying glass. Take a close look at dandruff, matted hair, threads, and the like. Small seed-like shells will be firmly attached to the hair. It will be difficult to remove them. They will most likely be pulled out along with the hair follicle when you run the comb through your hair. By carefully examining what remains on the comb, you can determine if you have lice or nits on your hair.

Part 4 of 4: How to Get Rid of Lice

1. 1 Treat the infected person. You can get rid of lice with over-the-counter medications. Follow the instructions exactly, including any necessary precautions.
2. 2 First, ask the person to put on old clothes. This must be done so that the components of the medicinal product do not spoil the clothes. Make sure the person wash their hair without conditioner.
3. 3 Follow the instructions for use of the drug. A doctor or pharmacist can help you choose a drug. Follow the instructions and re-examine the hair approximately 8 to 12 hours after treatment. If the lice remain, but move more slowly, then the remedy is still working. Try to get rid of as many dead lice and nits as possible by combing them out with a comb.
4. 4 Re-spray if the lice are still actively moving. As you examine your hair, pay attention to whether the lice are moving as vigorously as they were before the treatment. In this case, re-process following the instructions on the package.
5. 5 If re-treatment is required, follow the instructions for use of the drug. Usually, after a week, you need to re-treat the scalp of such a person. Most drugs usually describe the reprocessing procedure. You may seek the advice of your doctor or pharmacist to learn how to re-treat, as well as how to treat other family members.
6. 6 Treat the room. Wash and dry all bedding, towels, and clothing that the person has had contact with in the last 2 days before starting treatment. Wash laundry in hot water and dry at high temperature.
   • Items that cannot be washed can be dry-cleaned or put in a hermetically sealed plastic bag for 2 weeks.
7. 7 Soak combs and brushes. After using a comb or brush to remove lice and nits, soak them for 5 to 10 minutes in hot water at a temperature of at least 54 ° C.
8. 8 Vacuum the floor and furniture. Non-human lice live no more than 2 days. In order for nits to hatch, the temperature of their environment must match the temperature of the human body. Otherwise, they will die within one week.
9. 9 Wash clothes and soak combs. Try not to get infected again. Wash all clothing and bedding in hot water. Place non-washable items in sealed plastic bags for two weeks. Soak combs, hairpins, clips, and other hair accessories in hot water for at least 5 minutes.
   • Remember to wash soft items such as toys or pillows in hot water.
10. 10 Try not to use other people's things. Children often get lice when they share clothes, hats, scarves, or stuffed animals. Don't let your kids share these things with others.
    • Until all signs of infection have disappeared, do not share soft things with family members.
11. 11 Continue to look closely at the person's hair. Brush your hair every 2 to 3 days for 2 to 3 weeks to prevent possible re-infection.
12. 12 Allow your child to go to school again. After high-quality processing, your child can go back to school the very next day. If you find lice in your child, he does not need to stay at home for several days.
    • Tell your child not to touch his or her head to the heads of schoolmates.

Tips

• It is very difficult to independently look for lice on your head. If possible, then let someone help you.
• If you find lice in someone, be sure to examine all family members.
• Lice are transmitted by contact from person to person. Lice can also be transmitted through items used by an infected person, such as hats, combs, scarves, and hair ornaments. Never share these things with others.
• Lice are not carriers of bacterial or viral infections.
• Once outside the human host, lice are left without food and live for about 48 hours.
• Depending on the degree of infection, it may be worthwhile to see a doctor for advice on how to treat and treat the area where you live.

What do you need

• A comb for combing or a special comb for combing out lice
• Good lighting
• Magnifying glass
• Spray bottle with water
• Scotch
• White paper
• Hand mirror