What Are Different Head Lice Screening Options?
Head lice are highly durable, persistent little parasites that live in the hair and scalp of humans and animals. They reproduce rapidly and can easily spread to other unsuspecting members of a household or classroom, and can be very difficult to get rid of. For these reasons, it is highly recommended you get checked and treated by a professional, but we will discuss a few different screening options you can take to avoid making a big mistake. If you have been experiencing a persistent itchiness in your scalp, and have ruled out dryness or allergies as potential causes, then you may be in need of lice removal.
Professional Inspection
Due to the size and nature of head lice, they can be very difficult to detect for the untrained eye. Head lice can be as small as a pinhead or a sesame seed, and the nits they lay in your hair are even smaller and can be mistaken for dandruff. They range in color from light gray to brown, which can sometimes match the color of the hair they’re hiding in. Therefore, even if your at-home inspection does not produce any results, a professional inspection at a head lice clinic may still be necessary in order to address the issue before it spreads to someone else in the house. With the industry standard of specialized tools, training, and magnification equipment needed to accurately locate and diagnose a head lice infestation, you can rest assured that if any head lice are present in your hair, they will be discovered and treated same-day with 100% lice removal guaranteed in one hour.
At-Home Inspection
As we mentioned, head lice are very small, parasitic insects that live in the hair of humans and animals and the only way to truly confirm their presence is by physical inspection. They require a living host to survive, and feed on the blood of their host several times a day by penetrating the scalp. This act, along with the small swelling from the bites is what causes the itching. While this itching is one of the leading signs of head lice being present in your hair, it is very easy to misdiagnose. To conduct an inspection at home, you should purchase a specialized head lice comb and begin running it through your hair, or have someone do it for you (preferred). Then, you take a small cup filled halfway with water or vinegar and set it close to the side. Each time you run the comb through a section of hair, submerge the comb into the liquid for a few seconds, and scrape off anything that could be holding on to, or stuck in the comb. If head lice are present, you should eventually encounter a nymph or adult louse floating in that liquid. Keep in mind that lice can move very quickly and they actively avoid exposure to light, so you will need to be diligent with this inspection.
If You Find Lice Visit Lice Clinics Charlotte!
Head lice are a horrible nuisance and can be a significant disruptor to your everyday life. If you or someone you know are experiencing a sudden onset of itchiness, or suspect exposure to someone with head lice, do not hesitate to get checked by a professional before they multiply and spread to others. Lice Clinics of America use chemical-free treatments to remove all head lice and nits from each patient with 100% efficiency. If you are in need of a head lice clinic in Charlotte, NC, please visit our website and schedule your first appointment today.