A Visual Guide 

(and How to Get a Free Second Opinion)

You found something. Maybe it was while brushing your kid's hair, maybe it was an itch they mentioned twice too many times. Now you're squinting at a strand of hair under a lamp, phone flashlight in hand, trying to decide: is that lice? Dandruff? Just... dirt? What does lice look like?

You're not alone — this is one of the most common moments of panic for a parent, and it's genuinely hard to tell from a quick look. Here's what to actually look for, and a way to get a real answer without guessing.

Movement: This is the big giveaway — live lice move fast. If it's crawling, especially quickly, close to the scalp, that's a strong sign. However, you typically will not see a live head lice until an infestation is moderate to severe.

Where to look: Behind the ears and at the nape of the neck are the most common spots, since lice prefer the warmth close to the scalp

The real test — does it move on the hair strand? Nits are glued on with a substance that makes them very difficult to slide off. If you can flick it off the hair easily with your finger, it's very likely not a nit — it's probably dandruff, a hair product residue, or a piece of debris. Dandruff flakes; nits hold on.

The photo test: how to check yourself, and how to send it to me

If you're still not sure, here's exactly how to document what you're seeing so either you — or I — can get a clear look:

Take a photo of it while it's still in the hair, before touching it. No magnification needed — just your regular phone camera, in good lighting.

Then remove it — either by snipping just that strand of hair with small scissors, or gently pinching it off with your fingernails.

Place it on a plain white background — a paper towel, tissue, or piece of toilet paper works perfectly. The white background makes size, shape, and color much easier to see clearly.

Take a close-up photo, holding your camera about 5–6 inches away.

That's it — two photos (in the hair, and isolated on white) gives the clearest possible picture of what you're actually dealing with.

Send it my way

If you've gone through these steps and you're still not sure, send me the photos — no appointment necessary, no cost, just a real answer from someone who's looked at thousands of these. I'll let you know what I'm seeing and what I'd recommend next.

And if it turns out to be nothing? Great — now you know, and you can stop staring at that one strand of hair for the rest of the night.

Email, call or text:

📩 help@lagovistalicelady.com 📞 (512) 298-1983

Lago Vista Lice Lady  •  help@lagovistalicelady.com  •  (512) 298-1983