How To Know If You Have Lice [Signs & Symptoms]

Here are the signs that tell if you have a lice infestation.

Lice problems pose quite an embarrassment to infested persons as the constant itchiness on the scalp results in scratching. Such can be unbearable and very noticeable in public.

Although lice issues aren’t common with adults, they can be transferred from kids who tend to have it the most.

How To Know If You Have Lice

If you’ve recently treated your kids against head lice, chances are that the infestation might have spread to you before and during treatment. This is why it’s important to include preventive treatments.

If you’re experiencing itchiness on your scalp, it could be due to lice presence.

This article discusses how to know whether or if there’s an infestation or not. With the right knowledge, you’re able to take urgent measures towards resolving the problem.

Lice Signs And Symptoms

The only reliable way of knowing whether or not you have a head lice problem is by knowing the symptoms to look out for. Several symptoms are clear indicators of head lice.

One of the initial signs of an infestation is severe itching.

Others include lice nits or eggs on hair shafts, sores resulting from scratching, and difficulty sleeping. You may also notice a tickling feeling on hair or body in addition to having red bumps on the neck, head, and shoulder areas.

Body and Pubic Lice Issues

Your lice problem may not be related to the scalp area but body or pubic area.

Here, you won’t experience the usual itchiness on scalp and neck areas common with head lice.

Instead, you may experience a tingling feeling around your body and pubic area.

• Body Lice

Bed and clothing tend to be the starting points for body lice infestation.

These lice spread from clothing to your skin where they seek to feed on your blood by biting. These bites will create a lot of discomforts.

For persons with allergic reactions, serious itching may result in rashes appearing.

• Pubic Lice

As the name suggests, pubic lice are commonly found around the pubic area.

Also called crabs, they either stick to skin or hair around the pubic area. Persons with this type of lice issue experience intense itchiness around the pubic area. This is mostly caused by your body’s reaction to their bites.

Of all lice problems, head lice tend to cause the most discomfort and are the most difficult to get rid of. You’ll need to use effective treatments to have any real results.

For a more comprehensive understanding of the signs of lice problem, we’ll consider each of the different types.

Signs of Head Lice

Head lice mostly attach to the scalp and neck areas.

You’ll experience itchiness around these target points. During an infestation, several symptoms appear. To know if you have head lice, all you have to do is lookout for these symptoms.

They include lice on the scalp, sores on the scalp area, and an itchy scalp.

Other symptoms include nits on hair shafts.

• Lice on Scalp

A close look at infested persons is will reveal lice on the scalp.

However, these parasites are difficult to see due to their small size. You may want to use a magnifying glass for closer observation.

• Sores on the Scalp Area

The itchiness caused by lice feeding leads to a lot of discomforts. In response scratching affected areas develop sores that could become infected with bacteria.

• Itchy Scalp

Severe itchiness is common for a full-blown head lice infestation. This itch extends to the ear and neck areas. When this condition is noticed, it’s a clear sign that you may be dealing with a lice problem.

• Nits on Hair Shafts

Nits on hair shafts are common. Lice lay their eggs at the base of the shafts. These are firmly attached and will eventually hatch when not dislodged by a nit comb.

Signs of Body Lice

These are about the largest compared to other lice types (hair and pubic lice). One thing all lice types have in common is the itch they cause as a result of their feeding activity.

Other symptoms of the body lice include red bumps on the skin, darkened or thickened skin as well as a rash appearing on the skin.

• Severe Itch

Body lice will cause severe itch, thus resulting in significant discomfort to the infected person. This creates an embarrassing situation as the discomfort is easily noticeable whenever you step out.

You’ll have to carry out improved personal hygiene to address the problem.

• Red Bumps on Skin

Red bumps on the skin are common with body lice infestation. These mostly arise from the feeding activity of these parasites.

• Darkened or Thickened Skin

To know for sure whether you’re faced with a body lice problem or not, take a look at your body. Is there darkened skin appearing? These are mostly due to prior feeding behavior.

• Rash

Body rash is likely to appear during an infestation. This is usually due to allergic reactions resulting from lice feeding activity. It could also result from scratches.

Signs of Pubic Lice

As mentioned earlier, figuring out a lice problem can be quite tricky without knowing the symptoms of each type.

For pubic lice, there are quite many symptoms with the most common being itchiness around your genital or pubic area.

Other symptoms include crab eggs, tiny bugs on pubic hair, a feeling of irritability or feverish feeling as well as the appearance of bluish or dark spots around the area.

• Itchiness around Genital Area

When you begin to notice strange itchiness around your pubic area, it’s a strong sign of pubic lice infestation.

Such scratch might worsen or become unbearable for persons with allergies. Of course, you’ll need to take urgent measures to fight back such infestation.

• Crab Eggs

Similar to head lice, pubic lice lay their eggs or nits at the bottom section of the hair shaft. They appear in clumps and are quite tiny and difficult to see.

• Tiny Bugs on Pubic Hair

Very tiny bugs can be noticed on pubic hair.

For easy observation, you may want to use a magnifying glass to zoom in. These lice appear like tiny crabs.

• Feeling of Irritability

One definite symptom you’ll experience with a pubic lice infestation is a feeling of irritability.

This brings about restlessness. Sometimes, such a feeling may come with feverishness.

• Bluish or Dark Spots

Crab bites usually result in bluish or dark spots around the pubic area. Because lice feed on blood, they’ll need to bite to feed.

The different lice symptoms above require action on your part to get rid of them. Head lice tend to be the most difficult to get rid of.

You’ll need to seek professional medical advice and treatment.