How to Check for Lice

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Head lice are small wingless parasitic insects that live on the scalp. They can be difficult to spot because they’re only 2 – 3 mm 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.

Part 1
Part 1 of 4:

Knowing When to Check for Lice

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  1. 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 hair care products such as shampoo, too.
    • 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. [3]
    • Some people may also feel a “tickling” sensation on their scalp or head, as though something is moving or crawling.
  2. White flakes may be caused by dandruff or scalp eczema. They may also be caused by an allergic reaction to shampoos and other hair care products. However, these “flakes” may actually be lice eggs (nits). [4]
    • 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.
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  3. Lice may find their way into your home on clothes or bedding. They cannot fly, but they can jump great distances. [5]
    • You may see small bugs that look like light-brown sesame seeds on clothing, bedding, skin, or hair.

    Dawn Norton

    Sep 2, 2016

    "I have an itchy scalp. I can't see anything in my head, but will ask someone to look for me! I Googled and ..." more
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Part 2
Part 2 of 4:

Getting Set Up

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  1. 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.
  2. 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. [6]
  3. 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.
    • 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. [7]
  4. 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. [8]
  5. Once the eggs, or nits, have hatched, the egg casing remains firmly attached to the hair. The color of the casing is practically clear. [9]
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Part 3
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Examining the Hair for Lice and Nits

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  1. 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. [10]
    • 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. [11]
  2. 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. [12]
  3. These areas are places where adult lice and nits are commonly found. [13]
  4. 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.
    • 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.
  5. 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.
  6. 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. [14]
  7. Lice and nits can be seen on wet or dry hair, but examining yourself for lice may be easier with your hair wet. [15]
  8. 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. [16]
  9. 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. [17]
  10. Look closely for anything crawling, and for nits or nit casings attached to your hair in this area. [18]
  11. 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. [19]
    • 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. [20]
  12. 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. [21]
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Part 4
Part 4 of 4:

Treating Lice

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  1. You can treat head lice using products available without a prescription. Follow the directions closely, including any measures recommended for safety. [22]
  2. 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. [23]
  3. 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 eight 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. [24]
  4. 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. [25]
  5. 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. [26]
    • Unfortunately, lice have become more resistant to the usual treatments — even some prescription treatments. Your doctor may have to prescribe stronger medications (sometimes to be taken orally) to get rid of the lice.
  6. 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. [27]
    • Items that cannot be washed can be dry cleaned, or put in a tightly sealed plastic bag for two weeks. [28]
  7. 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. [29]
  8. Head lice only live for about two 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. [30]
  9. Make sure you don’t accidentally cause re-infestation. Wash all clothing and bedding in hot water. [31] 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 five minutes.
    • Make sure to wash any soft items, such as stuffed animals or pillows, in hot water.
  10. 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. [32]
    • Do not share soft items between family members until all signs of infestation have disappeared.
  11. Follow the combing procedure every two to three days, and for two to three weeks, to be sure the person has not been re-infested. [33]
  12. 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. [34]
    • Make sure that your child does not make head-to-head contact with other children at school.
    • Alert your school nurse that you have found lice or nits on your child and that it has been treated. The school may be required to tell other parents that an exposure has taken place so families can be on alert and the nurse can check the possibly exposed students. Do not feel embarrassed as this is extremely common.
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Comments

  • Mark Twitchell

    Nov 8, 2022

    "It helped me help my child, she keeps on finding "mysterious spots" in her hair, this article really ..." more

  • Mariana Slovakove

    Nov 8, 2022

    "The school asks parents to examine the kid's hair. Thank you, it helped me catch lice in my 7 year old boy."
    Rated this article:

  • S. Bannerjee

    Dec 17, 2016

    "It's really helpful, as I was stressed how to treat head lice, but this article gave me the full idea."
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  • Question
    I am a boy and I don't know for sure if my head is totally infested by lice, but it itches and I have found two small black-coloured lice so far! What should I do?
    Laura Marusinec, MD
    Board Certified Pediatrician
    Dr. Marusinec is a board certified Pediatrician at the Children's Hospital of Wisconsin, where she is on the Clinical Practice Council. She received her M.D. from the Medical College of Wisconsin School of Medicine in 1995 and completed her residency at the Medical College of Wisconsin in Pediatrics in 1998. She is a member of the American Medical Writers Association and the Society for Pediatric Urgent Care.
    Laura Marusinec, MD
    Board Certified Pediatrician
    Expert Answer
    Talk to your parents right away. They should be able to help figure out if you have lice. They can get you a treatment to try. If this doesn't work, or you are still not sure if it is lice, have your doctor check for you.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
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  • Question
    How can I tell if I have lice?
    Laura Marusinec, MD
    Board Certified Pediatrician
    Dr. Marusinec is a board certified Pediatrician at the Children's Hospital of Wisconsin, where she is on the Clinical Practice Council. She received her M.D. from the Medical College of Wisconsin School of Medicine in 1995 and completed her residency at the Medical College of Wisconsin in Pediatrics in 1998. She is a member of the American Medical Writers Association and the Society for Pediatric Urgent Care.
    Laura Marusinec, MD
    Board Certified Pediatrician
    Expert Answer
    Follow the instructions in the article to tell if you may have lice. Notice for itching and look for white flakes, or brown or black small bugs. If you are not sure, have another person help you look, or see your doctor.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
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      Tips

      • Checking for lice on your own head can be extremely difficult. If possible, get someone to help.
        Thanks
        Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
      • Consider examining other members of the household if you find someone with a lice infestation.
        Thanks
        Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
      • 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.
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      The advice in this section is based on the lived experiences of wikiHow readers like you. If you have a helpful tip you’d like to share on wikiHow, please submit it in the field below.
      • "Sometimes after getting rid of lice, you may feel tingling or itching sensations on your head. You may think you still have lice, even if you don't. Don't worry, it usually doesn't mean the lice have come back. But, there's no harm in checking again. " - Pat G.
      • "Inform family members if you have any lice. It's nothing to be ashamed of, and they will help you take care of the problem and prevent them from spreading. " - Takuya Q.
      • "You don't have to worry about head lice jumping. They don't have knees, which means they can't jump at all. They can only spread through direct contact." - Roxana L.
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      Things You”ll Need

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

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      References

      1. ↑ https://www.cdc.gov/lice/about/head-lice.html
      2. ↑ https://www.aad.org/public/diseases/a-z/head-lice-symptoms
      3. ↑ https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/head-lice/symptoms-causes/syc-20356180
      4. ↑ https://kidshealth.org/en/parents/head-lice.html
      5. ↑ https://www.aad.org/public/diseases/a-z/head-lice-symptoms
      6. ↑ https://www.aad.org/public/diseases/a-z/head-lice-treatment
      7. ↑ https://www.aad.org/dermatology-a-to-z/diseases-and-treatments/e---h/head-lice/diagnosis-treatment
      8. ↑ https://kidshealth.org/en/parents/head-lice.html
      9. ↑ https://www.aad.org/dermatology-a-to-z/diseases-and-treatments/e---h/head-lice/diagnosis-treatment
      1. ↑ https://www.aad.org/dermatology-a-to-z/diseases-and-treatments/e---h/head-lice/diagnosis-treatment
      2. ↑ https://www.aad.org/dermatology-a-to-z/diseases-and-treatments/e---h/head-lice/diagnosis-treatment
      3. ↑ https://www.aad.org/dermatology-a-to-z/diseases-and-treatments/e---h/head-lice/diagnosis-treatment
      4. ↑ https://www.aad.org/dermatology-a-to-z/diseases-and-treatments/e---h/head-lice/diagnosis-treatment
      5. ↑ http://headlicecenter.com/how-to-check-for-lice/
      6. ↑ http://headlicecenter.com/how-to-check-for-lice/
      7. ↑ http://headlicecenter.com/how-to-check-for-lice/
      8. ↑ http://headlicecenter.com/how-to-check-for-lice/
      9. ↑ http://headlicecenter.com/how-to-check-for-lice/
      10. ↑ https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/head-lice-and-nits/
      11. ↑ http://headlicecenter.com/how-to-check-for-lice/
      12. ↑ http://headlicecenter.com/how-to-check-for-lice/
      13. ↑ http://www.cdc.gov/parasites/lice/head/treatment.html
      14. ↑ http://www.cdc.gov/parasites/lice/head/treatment.html
      15. ↑ http://www.cdc.gov/parasites/lice/head/treatment.html
      16. ↑ http://www.cdc.gov/parasites/lice/head/treatment.html
      17. ↑ http://www.cdc.gov/parasites/lice/head/treatment.html
      18. ↑ http://www.cdc.gov/parasites/lice/head/treatment.html
      19. ↑ http://www.cdc.gov/parasites/lice/head/treatment.html
      20. ↑ http://www.cdc.gov/parasites/lice/head/treatment.html
      21. ↑ http://www.cdc.gov/parasites/lice/head/treatment.html
      22. ↑ http://www.cdc.gov/parasites/lice/head/treatment.html
      23. ↑ https://kidshealth.org/en/parents/head-lice.html
      24. ↑ http://www.cdc.gov/parasites/lice/head/treatment.html
      25. ↑ https://kidshealth.org/en/parents/head-lice.html

      About This Article

      Article Summary X

      To check for lice, start by wetting the person's hair and separating it into sections. Then, use a fine-tooth comb or a lice comb to brush through each section of hair, starting at the scalp and working your way to the ends. After you comb through each section, check the comb for lice or eggs. You should also examine the hair around the person's ears and neckline since that's where adult lice are commonly found. To learn how to get rid of head lice, scroll down!

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