Head lice are a common problem in children age 3 to 12. While they pose no serious health risks, they can make a scalp itchy and inflamed and are extremely contagious. Head lice multiply rapidly, so it's important to act quickly when you spot signs of them.
Instructions
1. Look for tiny oval specs about the size of a small grain of sand. Lice eggs are usually either white or light brown. They hatch in one week so try to spot them quickly.
2. Examine the scalp and hair shafts close to the skin. Lice lay eggs on hair shafts close to the scalp. Make small parts in the hair to get a look at the scalp and bottom of the hair shafts.
3. Use a magnifying glass and a bright light to spot lice eggs. With the hair parted, shine a flashlight directly at the part and magnify the area with a magnifying glass.
4. Spot lice eggs using a hair dryer. Life eggs can resemble dandruff, making it hard to differentiate between the two. Blow dry the hair and see if the tiny white or light-brown specs move. Dandruff will be blown away, but lice eggs remain attached to the hair.
5. Search around the ears and neckline for lice eggs. Lice prefer to lay their eggs on warm areas of the scalp.
Tags: hair shafts, hair shafts close, Head lice, lice eggs, Lice eggs