How to Check for Lice
One of the best ways to prevent a lice infestation from getting out of control is by doing regular checks. We recommend our clients perform a once-a-week maintenance check for lice using a quality lice comb. It’s quick, easy, and can make a huge difference in catching lice early.
A proper lice comb will have tightly spaced teeth that allow you to comb through the hair thoroughly, removing lice and nits (lice eggs).
Each check should take about 5 minutes per child. Be sure to focus on areas behind the ears and at the nape of the neck, as these are common spots where lice like to hide.
Tip: Comb the hair while it’s damp and leave on some conditioner. This helps the comb glide through the hair smoothly and makes it easier to spot any lice or nits when wiped on a paper towel.
Takeaway: When your child has shampooed his/her hair, rinse the shampoo out of the hair, then apply a good bit of conditioner to the hair and scalp. Before rinsing the conditioner out of the hair, run the lice comb through the ‘danger zone” (behind the ears, around the front hairline and through the crown of the head). As you are combing, wipe what you are finding on a white paper towel, so you can see what is coming out of the hair. Remember, nits are brown (not white) and oval and the bug will look like a bug.
Related Resource: Facts of Lice | Buy Lice Treatment Products