Self-checking for head lice offers a proactive approach to personal health, enabling early detection and timely intervention. This helps prevent potential spread to others.
Gathering Your Tools
An effective self-inspection for head lice requires specific tools. A fine-toothed lice comb is designed with narrow teeth spacing to effectively capture and remove lice and nits. A bright light source is essential for illuminating the scalp and making tiny lice and nits more visible. To achieve full visibility, you will need a large mirror and a handheld mirror. A magnifying glass can also be useful for closely examining any suspicious findings.
The Self-Inspection Process
Begin the self-inspection process by positioning yourself in a well-lit area, ensuring ample light. Arrange the large mirror in front of you and use the handheld mirror to view the back of your head and other areas not visible. Dampening your hair can help make combing easier and may slow down any live lice.
Next, use a regular comb to thoroughly detangle your hair, preparing it for the fine-toothed lice comb. Divide your hair into small, manageable sections. Start at the nape of your neck and behind your ears, common areas for lice and nits, taking one small section at a time.
Place the fine-toothed lice comb against your scalp and slowly pull it through the hair. After each pass, carefully examine the comb for any signs of lice or nits. Wipe the comb on a white tissue or paper towel after each stroke to easily see anything removed and to clean the comb before the next pass. Continue this systematic combing, section by section, ensuring you cover your entire scalp, including the crown of your head and areas around your temples.
What You’re Looking For
When inspecting your scalp, you are looking for both live head lice and their eggs, known as nits. Adult lice are small, typically 2-3 millimeters long, roughly the size of a sesame seed, and can be grayish-white, tan, or reddish-brown, often camouflaging with hair color. They have six legs and move quickly, making them difficult to spot directly on the scalp. Immature lice, called nymphs, are smaller than adults, about the size of a pinhead.
Nits, or lice eggs, are tiny, oval-shaped, and usually white, yellowish, or brown. They are laid by adult females and are firmly glued to the hair shaft, typically within a quarter inch of the scalp, where the warmth helps them hatch. Nits are often mistaken for dandruff or hair product flakes; however, they are securely attached and do not easily flick off the hair. Empty nit casings, left behind after a louse hatches, are lighter in color and may be found further down the hair shaft as hair grows. Common areas to find nits include behind the ears and at the nape of the neck; if you discover any signs, seeking professional advice or treatment is the next step.