HEAD LICE DETECTION KIT

Detecting head lice, even on yourself, can be a simple process by applying conditioner to dry hair, combing the hair with the usual plastic fine tooth comb, and looking for lice by wiping the combings on paper tissue.

A head lice detection kit therefore consists of 4 things: Conditioner - white conditioner is best since the lice and eggs are easier to see A fine tooth comb - to remove lice and eggs A normal comb - to remove tangles Paper tissue - white tissues are best since the lice and eggs are easier to see.

Conditioner and Fine Tooth Comb Technique Apply conditioner to dry hair aiming to cover each hair from root to tip with a layer of conditioner. Detangle the hair using an ordinary comb. Immediately comb the hair with a fine tooth comb. Plastic nit combs with conditioner are very effective for detecting and removing climbers, but far less effective for eggs. The Lice Meister comb removes about 10 times more eggs than plastic nit combs. Wipe the conditioner off the fine tooth comb onto a paper tissue and look for lice and eggs. Repeat the combing for every part of the head at least 5 times. Also examine the comb for lice and eggs.

Why the normal comb?

Using a fine tooth comb on tangled hair can be a painful experience for children, apart from being ineffective in detecting lice. By combing the hair with the normal comb while the conditioner is applied, you get rid of those tangles, and the fine tooth comb slides through easily. Makes the job so much easier! Conditioner has been combed through Eleanor's hair to make her hair tangle free. She is now ready to be checked for head lice using the fine tooth comb and paper tissue.

Why use conditioner in a detection kit? Conditioner stuns head lice! The stunning effect seems to last about 20 minutes. After this time most lice are active again. Conditioner also makes it hard for the lice to grip the hair shafts. Lice hold onto hairs with their six claws and, when they are alive, they are usually not dislodged by the typical plastic fine tooth comb. However, if the hair is wet, or, better still, coated with conditioner, lice seem unable to hold on as strongly as on dry hair. Conditioner may also block up the spiracles, the opening to the tracheal system, and asphyxiate lice. Use conditioner on hair to increase the rate of detection. Applying conditioner to dry hair is best, but it will work on wet hair also.

Rick Speare
7 July, 2002