How Do I Know If My Child Has Lice?

Head lice for many are a part of childhood and they’re unfortunately inevitable. However, the tricky part about head lice is often just determining if they are actually there or if it is just an itchy effect. 

What makes head lice so allusive is they are tiny little insects that blend in with the hair and are so little to the point where you can hardly see them to the naked eye. However, there are several clear signs and symptoms indicating your child might just have head lice.

Lice Symptoms to Watch Out for

• Itchiness is the most common symptom by far. If your child cannot stop itching and scratching at their scalp, it might be time to consider if head lice are a possibility.
• Difficulty sleeping at night; If your child has trouble falling asleep and staying asleep that could indicate head lice because lice tend to be more active at night.
• Any red bumps or sores found on the shoulders, neck and head could be signs of head lice.
• If your child starts complaining about a tickling feeling or a sensation of something moving around on their head, chances are it’s lice.

How  to Confirm Your Child has Head Lice

First, you will want to locate a flashlight and magnifying glass, as searching for head lice is not easy to the naked eye. Put on some gloves and have another helper hold the flashlight above your little one’s scalp. Make sure to select sections of the hair and have your magnifying glass pointed above their scalp.

If you see small white flecks similar in appearance to sand at the base of the hair near the scalp those are lice eggs (nits). It’s important to note that sometimes dandruff can look very similar to nits. That is why we recommend taking a head lice comb and trying to comb out the nit from the base of your child’s head. The one key identifier that it’s head lice eggs and not dandruff is that it will be much more difficult to remove the eggs as they are very sticky. If the above signs are present, you can safely bet your child has head lice.

Bring Your Child into Lice Clinics of America Racine

It’s become common knowledge that at-home remedies do not work and are extremely time-consuming and ineffective. Skip the lathering your child’s head in oils and other strange home remedies and instead bring your child to Lice Clinics of America. Our lice treatment in Racine is fully equipped to handle head lice and make sure it’s a headache you don’t have to deal with. We have a three-step lice removal process that has a 99% success rate. Book an appointment today and let our clinicians handle the rest.