How to stay calm when you find unwanted “guests” in your child’s hair.

represents lice. One insect provides a clue, but surrounding evidence provides a better answer. With head lice, look for live crawling insects and nits, which attach firmly to individual hair shafts and are difficult to slide away. Keep in mind that dandruff, hair product residue, dried skin, sand, and lint can sometimes resemble nits, so look at the object from several angles under good light. If you cannot confidently identify an attached insect, especially after recent outdoor activity, consider asking a healthcare professional for help rather than repeatedly manipulating it.