Head Lice Education
Learn how to properly check for head lice at home using clear, step-by-step videos from our expert team.
How to Part Hair for a Proper Lice Check
A practical walkthrough for sectioning hair and identifying live lice versus debris.
Spotting Nits: What to Look For
Learn where nits are commonly found and how to distinguish them from dandruff.
How to Check Your Child for Lice
Bright Lighting
Use bright, natural lighting and slightly dampen the hair to make lice and nits easier to spot.
Key Areas
Focus on behind the ears and the back of the neck — these are the most common hiding spots.
Comb & Inspect
Use a fine-tooth lice comb and carefully inspect the comb after each pass through the hair.
Look Closely
Look for moving lice or tiny oval eggs (nits) firmly attached to the hair shaft near the scalp.
What Do Lice and Nits Look Like?
Parents often mistake dandruff for lice eggs. Here's how to tell them apart.
Adult Lice
Tiny, sesame-seed-sized insects that are tan to grayish-white. They move quickly and avoid light, making them hard to spot.
Size of a sesame seed
Nits (Lice Eggs)
Oval-shaped eggs firmly glued to the hair shaft, usually within ¼ inch of the scalp. They don't brush off easily like dandruff.
Won't flick off like dandruff
Dandruff & Debris
White flakes that sit loosely on the hair and scalp. Unlike nits, dandruff slides off easily when touched or combed.
Slides off easily
Common Myths About Head Lice
There's a lot of misinformation out there. Let's set the record straight.
- Myth
Lice can jump or fly from person to person.
- Fact
Lice cannot jump or fly. They spread almost exclusively through direct head-to-head contact.
- Myth
Only kids with dirty hair get lice.
- Fact
Lice actually prefer clean hair. They infest clean and unwashed hair equally.
- Myth
You need to deep-clean your entire house.
- Fact
Extensive home cleaning usually isn't necessary. Lice can only survive off the head for 24–48 hours.
- Myth
Over-the-counter treatments always work.
- Fact
Many lice strains are now resistant to common drugstore treatments. Professional removal is often more effective.
- Myth
Pets can carry and spread lice.
- Fact
Head lice are human parasites only. Your pets cannot get or spread them.
What to Do if You Find Lice
Confirm
Do a thorough scalp check to confirm the presence of live lice or viable nits before beginning treatment.
Check Family
Inspect all household members. Lice spread through close contact, so others may be affected too.
Begin Treatment
Start professional or at-home treatment promptly. The sooner you act, the easier it is to resolve.
Daily Combing
Comb through hair daily with a fine-tooth lice comb to remove remaining nits and catch any stragglers.
Follow Up
Schedule a follow-up check 7–10 days after treatment to make sure the infestation is fully cleared.