They feed on blood from the scalp. Biting on the scalp makes it itch and irritated.
Note that it has nothing to do with poor hygiene and there is no evidence that lice prefer clean or dirty hair. They feed on blood, not dirt or skin cells on the scalp.
Well, let's find out what to do about this.
Let's answer that first.
If you still think you have head lice, let's answer a few more questions.
Here is why:
Anyway, before you do that or if the bumps are not too bad, let's see if you can find some lice.
Let's see how to do this.
You will need the following:
With the gloves on (Using a magnifying glass if any):
Look behind the ear and back of the head near the neckline.
Let's answer a few questions when you have looked.
They should be oval shaped, very small and hard to see. It may be yellow, white or even the same color as the hair.
According to the CDC: If crawling lice are not seen, finding nits attached firmly within ¼ inch of the base of hair shafts suggests, but does not confirm, the person is infested.
Nits that are attached more than ¼ inch from the base of the hair shaft are almost always non-viable (hatched or dead).
They should be about the size of sesame seed (1/16 to 1/8 of an inch) with six legs.
According to the CDC, the diagnosis of head lice infestation is best made by finding a live nymph or adult louse.
See "FYI" for CDC (Centers for disease control) tips on how to prevent the spread of head lice.
It is a more time consuming but it has been proven to correctly identify lice in 90% of cases, compared with a 29% accuracy rate for visual inspections.
Let's try this if you think you are up for it.
CDC's prevention and control
(copied text. See website for changes.)
Items for wet combing technique:
When you have most of these, let's continue
For ease of use, swipe left or right on a completed step to hide that step.
According to the CDC, the diagnosis of head lice infestation is best made by finding a live nymph or adult louse.
See "FYI" for CDC (Centers for disease control) tips on how to prevent the spread of head lice.
According to the CDC: If no nymphs or adults are seen, and the only nits found are more than ¼ inch from the scalp, then the infestation is probably old and no longer active — and does not need to be treated
Note that:
You have to find lice or eggs to use the over-the-counter shampoos or lotions. These shampoos do not prevent lice infestation.
See "FYI" below for CDC (Centers for disease control) tips on how to prevent the spread of head lice.
Would you like to see what a pharmacist recommend to get rid of head lice anyway?
Or think you should go to the nearest urgent care clinic to you?
CDC's prevention and control
(copied text. See website for changes.)