How to Check for Lice

You can check at home, ask a school nurse if available, contact your pediatrician, or schedule a professional head check at a lice clinic. If you want a fast answer from someone who checks for lice regularly, a professional lice clinic is usually the most direct option.

Yes. A professional lice screening can confirm whether lice are present before you start treatment. This matters because dandruff, dry scalp, lint, and product buildup can look like nits. LCA’s process starts with a head screening to confirm whether an infestation is present before treatment.

Maybe, but it depends. Nits close to the scalp may suggest a current or recent infestation. Nits farther from the scalp are more likely to be old, hatched, or dead. The CDC says nits more than ¼ inch from the scalp are almost always hatched or dead.

The safest next step is a professional head check before treating.

It is hard to know for sure by appearance alone. Nits close to the scalp are more concerning because they may still be viable. Nits farther down the hair shaft are more likely to be old. If you are unsure, schedule a professional screening.

Not always. Itching can be caused by lice, but it can also come from dry scalp, dandruff, eczema, irritation, or hair products. The only way to know is to check the hair and scalp carefully.

LCA’s current screening content also notes that itching may not appear right away, and some people may not notice symptoms for weeks.

They could be nits, but they could also be dandruff, dry skin, lint, or hair product. Try to move the white speck. If it brushes away easily, it is probably not a nit. If it stays stuck to one side of the hair shaft, it may be a nit.

A clinic is usually better if you want speed, professional lighting, trained technicians, and access to treatment if lice are found. In-home service may feel more private or convenient, but the clinic setting is built for thorough checks and efficient treatment.