How to Check Your Child for Lice at Home

If your kid has been scratching their head more than usual, you're probably already wondering. The good news is a head check takes about five minutes and you don't need any special equipment to do it.

Here's exactly what to look for and how to do it right.

What you'll need

A bright light (natural sunlight works best), a fine-tooth lice comb or a regular comb, and a white towel or paper towel to wipe the comb on. That's it.

Step 1: Wet the hair

Lice move fast in dry hair. Wetting the hair slows them down and makes the comb glide through without pulling. You don't need to wash it first, just dampen it and work out any tangles.

Step 2: Start at the scalp, not the ends

Lice live on the scalp, not the length of the hair. Start by looking closely at the scalp, especially behind the ears and at the nape of the neck. These are the warmest spots on the head and where lice tend to congregate. Part the hair in small sections and use a bright light to look directly at the scalp.

What you're looking for:

Live lice are about the size of a sesame seed, tan to grayish-white, and move quickly. They're easier to miss than most parents expect. Nits (lice eggs) are even smaller, oval-shaped, and attached tightly to the hair shaft close to the scalp. They don't shake off or brush out. That's the key difference between nits and dandruff: dandruff moves, nits don't.

Step 3: Comb through each section

Run the comb from scalp to ends through one section at a time. After each pass, wipe the comb on the white towel and check for anything. Lice or nits will show up clearly against a white background.

Go through the whole head section by section, paying extra attention to behind the ears and the back of the neck.

What if I'm not sure what I'm seeing?

It happens all the time. Nits and dandruff look similar to the untrained eye, and lice are fast enough that people miss them on the first check. If you're not confident either way, check again in two or three days. Lice don't resolve on their own, so if something's going on, you'll start to see more.

You can also call us. A LiceDoctors technician can come to your home, do a professional screening, and tell you exactly what's there. No charge for screenings that turn up nothing.

If you find lice

Don't panic. Head lice are not a hygiene problem and they don't spread disease. They're a nuisance, and a fixable one.

LiceDoctors technicians come directly to your home with an all-natural, chemical-free treatment and a 99.6% success rate. Most families are completely lice-free in a single visit, backed by a 30-day guarantee.

Call LiceDoctors at 800-224-2537. We're available 7am to midnight, 7 days a week including holidays.

Book an appointment

FAQ

How do I know if my child has lice or dandruff?Nits are attached tightly to the hair shaft and don't move when you flick them. Dandruff brushes right off. If it won't budge, it's worth treating as a potential nit.

Can adults get lice too?Yes. Anyone in the household who has had head-to-head contact with the child should also be checked. Lice don't care about age.

Do I need a lice comb to check?A fine-tooth lice comb is ideal, but a regular fine-tooth comb works for a basic check. The comb helps dislodge nits that are hard to see visually.

What if I find nits but no live lice?Nits close to the scalp are likely viable. If they're further than half an inch from the scalp, they're probably hatched or dead. Either way, it's worth treating to be sure. Call us at 800-224-2537 and we'll let you know what you're dealing with.

‍