How Can I Check my Child for Head Lice?

Answer:
Manual screening is the only way to effectively

check your child for head lice. Certain lice treatments or lice combs come with cards that can help you identify the difference between adult lice, lice eggs (nits), dandruff, and other hair debris.

When checking your child for lice, it is helpful to have a wooden screening stick, as can be found in many school nurses’ offices – to separate the hair strands and get a closer look. A magnifying glass can help you identify anything you find on the hair. If you don’t have a wooden screening stick, a nit comb can easily help with a more thorough examination, as it will trap anything in the hair for easy viewing.

If you need help checking your child for head lice, a school nurse is an excellent resource.