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Preparing for your appointment
By Mayo Clinic staffIn most cases, you don't need to see a doctor for head lice. But you may want to consult your family physician if:
- You need help determining if you or your child has been infected
- Over-the-counter lice treatments aren't working
What you can do
You may want to write a list that includes:
- Detailed descriptions of the symptoms
- Information about past medical problems
- Questions you want to ask the doctor
What to expect from your doctor
Your doctor will check your head for lice and your hair for nits. He or she may use a special light, called a Wood's light, which makes the nits look pale blue.
- Goldstein AO, et al. Pediculosis. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed March 27, 2009.
- Head lice: Fact sheet. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. http://www.cdc.gov/lice/head/factsheet.html. Accessed March 27, 2009.
- Head lice: Treatment. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. http://www.cdc.gov/lice/head/treatment.html. Accessed March 27, 2009.
- Ectoparasites. In: Rakel RE, et al. Textbook of Family Medicine. 7th ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Saunders Elsevier; 2007. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/128370895-3/822018529/1481/307.html#4-u1.0-B978-1-4160-2467-5..50029-4--cesec39_1386. Accessed March 27, 2009.
- Schlossberg D. Arthropods and leeches. In: Goldman L, et al. Cecil Medicine. 23rd ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Saunders Elsevier; 2007. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/128370895-5/822078666/1492/1286.html#4-u1.0-B978-1-4160-2805-5..50385-2--cesec27_16133. Accessed March 27, 2009.
- Burkhart CN, et al. Fomite transmission in head lice. Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology. 2007;56:1044.
- FDA approves benzyl alcohol lotion for the treatment of head lice. U.S. Food and Drug Administration. U.S. Food and Drug Administration. http://www.fda.gov/bbs/topics/NEWS/2009/NEW01993.html. Accessed April 15, 2009.
- Head lice: Prevention and control. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. http://www.cdc.gov/lice/prevent.html. Accessed March 27, 2009.
