Check for Lice Nits

Edited by Mian Sheilette Ong, Eng, Lynn, Nuance and 1 other

Personal hygiene is a priority for everyone. With excellent personal hygiene, you will be able to carry yourself well anywhere at any given time. It will also show that you take good care of yourself.

Grizzlybabymian nits6.jpg

Everything About Head Lice, Eggs, and Nits

Even if you have excellent hygiene, ectoparasites such as lice, can strike. Most often, your child brings it home from school. If you become afflicted with such parasites, you must act quickly and make sure you are thorough in your efforts to get rid of them.

Lice are wingless and very tiny. They infest your scalp and other body areas such as the pubic and armpit regions. Adult lice lay eggs. When the eggs hatch, they leave shells behind. These shells are called nits. When you see these nits on your scalp or on any area of the body, it is a neon sign of a lice infestation. You should know how to check for lice nits if you want to have a parasite-free body and scalp. It will definitely make you more confident when mingling with other people. Yes, it may be tedious and laborious, but this will help ensure a healthier lifestyle.

A Basic Description of Lice

Recognize lice. You should definitely know how to recognize lice. These are wingless, tiny arthropods (six-legged invertebrates) that reside on your scalp. Lice are ectoparasites that rely on your blood to survive. They are about the size of a sesame seed. Lice are like mosquitoes, but instead of flying, they do best with crawling. You can get lice by being in direct contact with someone infested with head lice. Another way would be to share items such as headbands, clips, combs, or hats.

Eggs

Grizzlybabymian nits993.jpg

The female head lice lay eggs. These eggs are almost invisible to the naked eye because they're tiny and they blend into the color of your hair. Female head lice usually lay their eggs on the hair shafts near the hair roots. They attach with an adhesive that's naturally waterproof. That is why they cannot be blown or washed away.

Grizzlybabymian nits2.jpg

By the time the head lice eggs hatch, they leave empty eggshells behind. These are called nits. You could confuse nits with hairspray flakes, sand, or dandruff. Like the lice eggs, nits still have their adhesives so they cannot be removed that easily. Nits differ in coloration (brownish yellow, white). As the hair grows, the attached nits are found away from the roots. Since nits are indications of lice infestation, many schools do not admit children who have them. It is important for parents to check their children's heads for nits and eggs on a regular basis so that lice treatment could be performed immediately. Removing nits and lice eggs takes patience and a fine-toothed comb.

Life Cycle of Head Lice

Head lice have three phases in their life cycle (40-50 days):

  1. 1
    Egg phase
    .
    The mature female lays eggs that are coated with an adhesive. This adhesive is effective for attaching the eggs to the hair shafts near the hair roots. The newly hatched head lice will hatch after 10 days.
    Was this step helpful? Yes | No| I need help
  2. 2
    Nymph phase
    .
    A nymph comes out of the head lice egg. They are not that easy to see. Nymphs cannot reproduce yet because they don't have a fully developed reproductive system yet. It takes 12 days for lice nymphs to mature.
    Was this step helpful? Yes | No| I need help
  3. 3
    Adult phase
    .
    This is the phase where the nymphs are finally mature enough to produce and lay eggs. Once they are sexually mature, they can lay four to 10 eggs every day. The life of adult head lice lasts about 28 days. Don't panic, but about 280 lice eggs could be laid by one mature female before she dies.
    Was this step helpful? Yes | No| I need help

How to Check for Head Lice, Nits, and Eggs

You can tell if there is a head lice infestation when the suspected host itches all the time. Oftentimes, children scratch their heads, nape, or behind the ears. Red bumps or small wounds might also be present in these areas. Once you notice itching or bumps, immediately check your child's head. There could already be a head lice outbreak in their school. You can check for head lice, nits, and eggs by using the following steps:

First Check For Lice

  1. 1
    Choose a relaxing place
    .
    Grizzlybabymian nits4.jpg
    Select a comfortable area for head lice checking. You should position your child seated in front of you. This will allow you to check all over your child's head conveniently. Do not do this on furniture that's upholstered, as lice may end up there. Go for a kitchen chair instead...you might even want to do this on the back deck.
    Was this step helpful? Yes | No| I need help
  2. 2
    Make sure there is natural light
    .
    Grizzlybabymian nits3.jpg
    It should be bright enough so you could detect the nits. The tiny adult lice do move quickly so you have to have appropriate lighting to see them. Head lice eggs are translucent. Moving the light around or moving under the light helps pinpoint them.
    Was this step helpful? Yes | No| I need help
  3. 3
    Fully examine the scalp
    .
    Grizzlybabymian nits02.jpg
    Part areas of hair and look closely at the scalp, the area behind the ears, and the nape.
    Was this step helpful? Yes | No| I need help

The Wet Hair Technique

Detecting head lice, eggs, and nits can be done by combing the hair with a fine-toothed comb. This method takes 5-15 minutes, depending on the thickness and the length of the hair. This can also be used as part of the treatment.

  1. 1
    Wash the hair with regular shampoo.
    Was this step helpful? Yes | No| I need help
  2. 2
    Rinse the hair thoroughly and apply regular conditioner
    .
    Use three times the amount you usually use and do not rinse it out of the hair. This makes it really easy to comb.
    Was this step helpful? Yes | No| I need help
  3. 3
    Use a regular comb to remove tangles.
    Was this step helpful? Yes | No| I need help
  4. 4
    Get a fine-toothed comb or a detection comb
    .
    There are detection combs that come with or without prescriptions, available at any drug store.
    Was this step helpful? Yes | No| I need help
  5. 5
    Comb the hair using the detection comb
    .
    Make sure that it touches the scalp and reaches the tips of the hair.
    Was this step helpful? Yes | No| I need help
  6. 6
    Work the entire head.
    Was this step helpful? Yes | No| I need help
  7. 7
    Look at the comb and check for lice, nits, and eggs.
    Was this step helpful? Yes | No| I need help
  8. 8
    If there are lice, nits, or eggs in the comb, wash it thoroughly first before running it through the hair again
    .
    Was this step helpful? Yes | No| I need help
  9. 9
    Continue this process over the entire head.
    Was this step helpful? Yes | No| I need help
  10. 10
    Rinse off the conditioner
    .
     
    1. Repeat the combing process to make sure every area is dealt with.
    Was this step helpful? Yes | No| I need help

Dry Hair Technique

This only takes about 3-5 minutes, depending on the hair's thickness. This is not effective for treating lice, only detecting it.

  1. 1
    Use an ordinary comb to untangle and straighten dry hair.
    Was this step helpful? Yes | No| I need help
  2. 2
    Use the detection comb as soon as the tangles are removed.
    Was this step helpful? Yes | No| I need help
  3. 3
    Start combing from the hair base to the hair tips
    .
    Do this about three to four times before combing the next area.
    Was this step helpful? Yes | No| I need help
  4. 4
    Examine the detection comb for lice, nits, and eggs
    .
    Was this step helpful? Yes | No| I need help
  5. 5
    If there are any lice, nits or eggs in the comb, rinse the comb and dry it thoroughly before using it again.
    Was this step helpful? Yes | No| I need help
  6. 6
    Perform the process until every portion of the hair is cleared.
    Was this step helpful? Yes | No| I need help

Symptoms of Pubic Lice

Pubic lice can also be acquired. This is spread through sexual intercourse. If a sexual partner detects pubic lice infestation in his or her own pubic area, both sexual partners should be treated to avoid spreading the parasites again. Pubic lice are usually grey or brown. They can be acquired from infested clothes, bedding, and towels. Pubic lice look like tiny crabs and that's why they are also known as "crabs". These are the symptoms you have to watch out for:

  1. 1
    Grey dots or brown dots present on the skin near or on the pubic area
    .
    Was this step helpful? Yes | No| I need help
  • 2
    Intense level of itching.
    Was this step helpful? Yes | No| I need help
  • 3
    White eggs on the pubic hair shafts, very close to the roots.
    Was this step helpful? Yes | No| I need help
  • 4
    Pubic lice can also be present on the hair shafts of hair that grow on your underarms, trunk, and thighs
    .
    They could even be present in mustaches and beards.
    Grizzlybabymian nits7.jpg
    Was this step helpful? Yes | No| I need help
  • Treatment of Pubic Lice

    1. 1
      Use special lice shampoos that are formulated to kill pubic lice
      .
      These shampoos work on dry pubic hair. Just be careful not to let the shampoo get in contact with mucus areas such as the anus or the vagina. The shampoo could burn or irritate the mucus areas. Leave the shampoo for on to 10 minutes.
      Was this step helpful? Yes | No| I need help
    2. 2
      Pour on enough warm water to lather the shampoo up.
      Was this step helpful? Yes | No| I need help
    3. 3
      Rinse the area thoroughly.
      Was this step helpful? Yes | No| I need help
    4. 4
      If the patient has a hairy pubic area, a detection comb should be used to check for head lice, nits, and eggs
      .
      Was this step helpful? Yes | No| I need help
    5. 5
      Rinse thoroughly.
      Was this step helpful? Yes | No| I need help
    6. 6
      Wash all clothes, sheets, undergarments, and towels using warm water for 20 minutes
      .
      This will ensure the death of the crabs.
      Was this step helpful? Yes | No| I need help
    7. 7
      Perform another treatment after seven to 10 days of the first treatment to get rid of the newly hatched pubic lice.
      Was this step helpful? Yes | No| I need help
    8. 8
      You might want to consider shaving the public hair to the skin, but don't do it anytime near the special shampoo
      .
      You really don't want that stuff absorbing into your skin.
      Was this step helpful? Yes | No| I need help

    Symptoms of Body Lice

    Body lice move to your skin to feed and then return to the seams of your clothes. They lay their eggs in the seams. Home lice sprays can be used to kill the adult lice, nits, and eggs. Spray them on non-washable objects, vehicle interiors, furniture, and mattresses.

    Grizzlybabymian nits5.jpg

    Treatment for Body Lice

    After ridding your body of lice, wash all linens, coats, scarves, hats (washable ones), towels, and garments using hot water. Use high heat in drying them for about 20 minutes. If the items are non-washable, have them dry-cleaned.

    Grizzlybabymian nits092.jpg

    Personal hygiene is important and checking for lice nits is a very significant part of it. Be vigilant in preventing this infestation so that you could have a lice-free, healthy lifestyle.

    Alternative Method For Removing Lice Without Harsh Chemicals

    This is an effective way to remove lice and nits from your child's hair, without the use of any dangerous chemicals. If you've got longer hair, tie it up while you're doing this process...just to be safer.

    What You'll Need

    • Conditioner. Get a bottle or jar of thick conditioner - doesn't have to be expensive.
    • Shampoo.
    • Two towels.
    • Four clips to hold hair out of your way.
    • Plastic bag that will fit over the affected person's head.
    • Fine-toothed comb.
    • Blow dryer.
    • Flat iron. This isn't a clothes iron, but like a curling iron, but flat. Girls use it to straighten their hair.

    Instructions For Dealing With Lice

    1. 1
      Put on your gloves.
      Was this step helpful? Yes | No| I need help
    2. 2
      Put a towel around the neck of the person you're helping.
      Was this step helpful? Yes | No| I need help
    3. 3
      Work with dry hair that has been combed to remove tangles.
      Was this step helpful? Yes | No| I need help
    4. 4
      Part the hair into four sections.
      Was this step helpful? Yes | No| I need help
    5. 5
      Smother them
      .
      Starting in the first section, from the nap of the neck, part the hair in ½ inch sections, putting a big dollop of conditioner at the roots. Make the next parting, more conditioner, and so on.
      Was this step helpful? Yes | No| I need help
    6. 6
      Remove the clip each time you start a new section.
      Was this step helpful? Yes | No| I need help
    7. 7
      You'll actually see the critters crawling out of your way, and by the time you get to the front - where the bangs are, you'll see them all huddling.
      Was this step helpful? Yes | No| I need help
    8. 8
      Smother the roots with conditioner.
      Was this step helpful? Yes | No| I need help
    9. 9
      Now add tons of conditioner until the entire head is covered thickly with the conditioner.
      Was this step helpful? Yes | No| I need help
    10. 10
      Place the plastic bag over the head, only covering the hair, and clip to secure.
      Was this step helpful? Yes | No| I need help
    11. 11
      Spend a half an hour holding the blow dryer on high heat, all over the head
      .
      Make sure you don't spend too long in one place, as you might burn the person you're treating.
      Was this step helpful? Yes | No| I need help
    12. 12
      Take off the bag, and lean them over a sink or the tub
      .
      Comb the hair over and over - with the conditioner still in the hair. The comb should move fairly easily through the hair. As you comb, you'll see dead lice coming out of the hair. Comb and comb and comb.
      Was this step helpful? Yes | No| I need help
    13. 13
      Shampoo the hair - twice.
      Was this step helpful? Yes | No| I need help
    14. 14
      Clean up half way through
      .
       
      1. Throw away the gloves and the plastic bag. Put them into another plastic bag, tie it, and put it right outside in the garbage.
      2. Wash the comb and clips carefully.
      3. Put the towel you've used straight into the washer.
      Was this step helpful? Yes | No| I need help

    Instructions For Dealing With The Nits

    Now you've killed the lice, but you still have the nits to deal with.

    1. 1
      Heat up the flat iron.
      Was this step helpful? Yes | No| I need help
    2. 2
      Dry the hair completely - it cannot even be damp.
      Was this step helpful? Yes | No| I need help
    3. 3
      Section the hair the same way you did for the conditioner.
      Was this step helpful? Yes | No| I need help
    4. 4
      One section at a time - starting from the nap of the neck, iron each section of hair with the flat iron trying to get close to the scalp, but taking great care not to burn your child - or whomever you're helping
      .
      The heat of the iron will kill the nits.
      Was this step helpful? Yes | No| I need help
    5. 5
      When you're done, comb the hair.
      Was this step helpful? Yes | No| I need help
    6. 6
      Shampoo the hair and condition.
      Was this step helpful? Yes | No| I need help
    7. 7
      Keep your fingers crossed that your child or friend is now lice-free.
      Was this step helpful? Yes | No| I need help

    Tips, Tricks and Warnings

    • Do not share personal items such as combs, underwear, and towels with other people.
    • Choose a reputable hotel when traveling.
    • Always remember - smother the lice - get the nits with heat.

    If you have problems with any of the steps in this article, please ask a question for more help, or post in the comments section below.

    Comments

    Article Info

    Categories : Health & Wellness

    Recent edits by: Nuance, Lynn, Eng

    Share this Article:

    Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 10,720 times.

    x

    Thank Our Volunteer Authors.

    Would you like to give back to the community by fixing a spelling mistake? Yes | No