How to Screen for Head Lice With a Nit Comb

Properly screening for head lice can make the difference between a thorough, but short treatment, and a drawn-out infestation. According to the Centers for Disease Control, up to 12 million cases of lice occur each year in the U.S. among children from 3 to 11 years old. Mature head lice can live up to 100 days, and without proper treatment, females will lay thousands of eggs, known as nits, during this time. Mature lice are dark, approximately 3 millimeters in length, and move along the scalp. Nits are white, and usually cling to the hair within 1/4-inch of the scalp.

Things You'll Need

• Nit comb
• Flashlight
• Magnifying glass (optional)

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Instructions

• 1

  Part the patient's hair 1 inch above the ear. Completely expose the scalp by separating the hair with the nit comb, leaving a straight line of visible scalp.

• 2

  Point the flashlight at the scalp for approximately 10 seconds. Although lice avoid light, they also move very quickly, and will likely try crossing the exposed scalp during your inspection.

• 3

  Part the hair approximately 1/2-inch higher than the first part, and repeat the same inspection process.

• 4

  Ask the patient to tilt her head downward. Part and inspect the hair, beginning at the base of her neck, using your nit comb. Move upward, parting every 1/2-inch, and carefully inspect each area.