How To Check For Head Lice

Do you think you or your child has head lice? Did you get the dreaded letter or call? Here's an easy way to check at home!

You will need:

A plastic lice or flea comb (or Expert RN Head Check Kit)
Any kind of conditioner
A towel
Paper towels
Clips to secure long hair

We have created head lice check kits (long and short hair) especially for care providers and parents. Available for Prime Delivery in most areas.

Important Notes:

If you see live head lice crawling on the scalp or on the comb, you very likely have an active head lice infestation. Skip the below steps and proceed to wet combing. to begin the treatment process.
If you don’t see any nits or lice, do not assume that the person is free of head lice. Especially if they've had head-to-head or close contact with head lice in the last 7 days. Check again 5-7 days after your first check or if symptoms appear to make sure that there is no head lice infestation.
Use conditioner of any kind. Do not use vaseline or any other oil products instead of conditioner.

1. Safely secure a towel around the neck by tucking into the shirt collar.

2. Have the person being checked sit in a chair in a comfortable position.

Thoroughly wet hair from root to ends.

3. Apply a generous amount of conditioner to the hair from the roots to ends all over the head.Comb conditioner thoroughly to detangle hair and do not rinse. You want the hair to be soaked with conditioner (not dripping) and completely detangled.

4. Take a small (3cm) section of hair from the crown area of the head. Secure other hair out of the way, if needed. Using the lice comb, hold the section and comb downwards, starting at the scalp. Lice live very close to the scalp, so be sure to comb as close as you can to without scraping. Comb all the way down the hair in one motion.

Wet combing short hair can be tricky. For very short (buzz cut length) hair, comb against the direction of the hair growth, and do your best to get the comb as close to the scalp as possible without scraping or applying downward pressure.

Shaving the head is NOT a treatment for head lice.

5. After each pass of the comb, wipe it off on a paper towel and inspect. Lice are small, brownish-clear insects that are about the size of a sesame seed.

If you see lice on the comb or towel, the person being combed likely has a head lice infestation. Proceed to Wet Combing treatment right away.

If you don’t see any debris or lice on the towel the person likely does not have head lice. If you’re unsure, or if the person being checked was recently exposed (within the last 4 days), repeat this check in 4-7 days time.

6. Be sure to check many different areas of the scalp including the crown, behind the ears, and near the nape of the neck.

7. Rinse out the hair, wash and condition as usual. Gently wash the lice comb with soap and water, and place in a plastic bag. Never share lice combs. If the comb is damaged or missing teeth, it will not work as well and will need to be replaced.

More head lice resources HERE

To bulk order head lice check kits or customized resources (like these instructions) email info@thelicenurse.ca

Expert RN Head Lice Check Kit on Amazon. Order Now

How to Check for Head Lice

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