Health encyclopaedia

Health encyclopaedia - Alphabetical Topic List

Diagnosis of Head lice

The presence of head lice is indicated by repeated itching of the scalp, or by detecting them in the hair. This can be done using a special comb. Your GP or nurse can only confirm the diagnosis if a live louse is found in the hair.

If you or your children have head lice you should check the rest of the family, and alert close friends and your child’s school.

Itching is not always present because it is not caused by the bugs biting the scalp, but by an allergy to the bugs themselves. Some people are not allergic to them so may not notice they have been infested, and it can take up to three months after the initial infestation for an itch to develop. 

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