Do you think your child has head lice? Have you noticed him scratching his head frequently? Or maybe you’ve heard of an outbreak of head louse at his school? You can probably discover if your son or daughter has head louse by doing an easy evaluation at home.

The easiest way to identify head lice is by noticing their eggs in the hair. Lice eggs are also known as nits. Head lice will lay these eggs on the hair shaft close to the scalp. This is why a head examination depends on scrutinizing the scalp. Before the baby louse hatches, nits look yellow, tan, brown or clear. Once the louse has hatched, the shell will stay gluedStuck to the hair shaft. This is the easiest thing to identify, as it is white in color, looking somewhat like dandruff. The main difference between nits and dandruff is dandruff is easily shaken off of the hair shaft, while nits are stuck to the shaft.

Sometimes you will be able to notice adult head louse on your child’s hair, particularly if your child’s hair is short. These little beasties are small, the same size as a sesame seed from your hamburger bun, and they tend to possess the same coloring as your child’s hair. A lot of parents grasp their little ones are infected the moment they see the adult lice moving through their kid’s hair.

Head scratching is, of course, another sign of a head lice infestation. But, not every child will find head lice to be itchy. Also, scratching their head may be a sign of other troubles, such as eczema or dandruff. The itching from lice is usually likened to a tickle, or the feeling of something moving about on the scalp.

Children who suffer from sensitive skin, and spend a lot of time scratching due to the head lice will regularly get a rash on the scalp. Head lice rash looks like red lumps at the base of the scalp. It could infrequently develop into a more serious infection that needs antibiotics.

If you have a suspision your child might have head lice, part his hair and observe the base of the hair shaft for the nits. Pay particular attention to the areas of hair around the neck and ears. If you find it a struggle to focus up close, you might want to try a magnifying glass. Be sure to do the lice checking in bright light. If you can’t see anything, but the itching continues, it is time for a trip to the doctor. On the other hand, if there is persistent scratching, and you have heard of an outbreak at school or day care, you possibly can be certain that the reason is head lice.

To cure nits you can buy a medicated shampoo that will eliminate the lice. Be sure to follow the instructions to the letter, for the reason that, incorrect use will not eliminate all of the lice. You will also be required to comb through your child’s hair with a nit comb to take care of any nits that are not killed by the shampoo.

When you have treated your child, wash any clothes in the house, as lice have the ability to live up to three days off of the scalp if they are attached to clothing. Also, boil anything that comes in contact with an infected head, including brushes, bows and combs. It is especially important to wash any bedding. Vacuum all furniture and floors. Then look out for signs of re-infestation. If this happens, start the procedure again. It can be difficult, but you can get rid of head lice with the proper steps.