What Should Head Lice Look Like?

If you suspect your child has head lice, the first step is to get your child checked by a physician. Lice do not live for long, so it is important to treat them as soon as possible. You should also ensure your child does not share their hair or personal items with anyone else. You should also check other members of your child’s family for lice. If they have recently been in close contact with a person who had lice, you should get them treated as soon as possible.

If you suspect your child has head lice, you should look for nits, which are attached to the hair shafts near the scalp. The easiest place to look for these nits is behind the ears and behind the hairline. However, be careful, as these nits are similar to dandruff, so you must be very careful when looking for them.

While nits are the most common sign of head lice, even experienced parents can miss them. To be on the safe side, inspect the hair of your child on a regular basis and treat as soon as you find them. If you notice nits within 1/4 inch (6 millimeters) of the scalp, you should immediately treat your child. If you have multiple children, you should treat everyone at once.

If you suspect your child has head lice, you should wash clothing, hats, and stuffed animals in hot water and dry them. It is important to remember that head-to-head contact is the worst way to spread lice. Therefore, children should avoid sharing hats and stuffed animals with others. If you can’t wash items, try storing them in a plastic bag for two weeks. Soaking hairbrushes in hot water also helps kill the lice.