What are the symptoms of head lice?
The most common symptom of a head lice infestation is persistent itching, particularly around the ears, back of the neck and crown, but some people never itch at all. Repeat infestations can cause some individuals to become super-sensitive to bites. Secondary bacterial infections can occur with excessive scratching. See a doctor if this occurs. Diagnosis of head lice is usually made by finding nits (lice eggs). Nits are tiny, whitish, oval eggs firmly attached to one side of the hair shaft at an angle. Viable nits are usually, but not always, found within a half-inch of the scalp. Hint – if you can blow or flick it off, or if it crumbles in your fingers, it is not a nit.
Generally, the first symptom of head lice is persistent itching or scratching at the back of the head or around the ears. The lice like to stay close to the head where it is warm and close to their food source, human blood. If a child is observed repeatedly scratching his or her head, check the hair shafts and scalp closely for head lice or their nits (eggs). It is important to check for head lice in good daylight with a magnifying glass. They are very difficult to see, especially in light hair.
