How to Identify Head Lice

Contrary to popular thought, head lice do not only affect people who are dirty or poor. Anyone can catch head lice. Most head lice are identified based on their nits, which are the eggs that they lay. Follow these steps to identify head lice.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

1. Check for white, translucent eggs the size of a pin point. They will be tightly "glued" to the side of the hair shaft and you won't be able to flick them away with your fingers.

2. Look for adult lice, which are six-legged, wingless insects. They are 2 to 4mm long with translucent, grey-white bodies.

3. Look for insects that are reddish-brown if you don't see any that are grey-white. Head lice change color after feeding, when they are engorged with blood.

Tips & Warnings

• The eggs hatch 6 to 10 days after they are laid.
• Nits move as the hair grows. Nits found near the tips of the hair indicate long-term infestation.
• Head lice can be transmitted from one person to another.
• Always use a pharmacist or doctor-recommended treatment to get rid of lice.

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[Gigi825]

on 7/30/2008 Never ever try to pull them off of the strand of hair!! Doing so can spread lice.