Finding Ticks in Thick Hair: the Parting Technique
In short: On the head, ticks mainly attach at the hairline and the ears, according to the Robert Koch Institute — and in thick, curly or dark hair, a random look-through barely helps there. Dividing the hair into fixed sections and working parting by parting finds ticks more reliably; the camera helps where the eye has no contrast between the hairs.
Why thick hair makes the check harder
An unfed nymph is only one to two millimetres across, according to the RKI, dark, and hidden by the hair itself. In light, fine hair it is more likely to stand out; in thick or curly hair hardly at all. Then there is the problem of order: rummaging through means looking at some strands twice and others not at all. A fixed sequence solves that more reliably than "a quick look". The size comparison in "What do ticks look like?" shows how small that is.
The parting technique
- Divide into sections: mentally or with clips, split the hair into four to six areas — as for a lice check.
- Start at the hairline: around forehead, temples and behind the ears, then towards the crown and finally the nape.
- Part each section on its own: with your fingers or a fine-toothed comb, move a narrow strip of hair aside until a line of scalp shows.
- Camera straight onto the strip: with TickSpot you don't need a perfectly clear view — a narrow strip of scalp is enough for a bright dot to stand out in the inverted view.
- Move the parting a finger's width and continue until the section is done, then the next.
- Freeze on a suspicious dot: stop the image, zoom in and look calmly, instead of balancing one hand in the hair and the other on the camera.
Depending on the hair
- Curly or coily hair: smaller sections, part with your fingers rather than a comb so nothing pulls.
- Long hair: undo braids first; hold sections with clips so one hand stays free.
- Dark hair on a dark scalp: here the inverted image has less contrast too. Extra light from the side and zoom help more than speed.
- Short hair and beards: the camera can go straight over the skin; little parting needed.
Tools and tricky spots
- Good light: daylight or the app's light, especially in dim bathrooms.
- A fine-toothed comb helps you part evenly — but it won't comb out an attached tick.
- The back of your own head: hold the camera behind your head, freeze the frame and look. For the whole back of the head, a second person is the safest option.
The technique works at any age. The full routine for children is in "Checking your child for ticks", the whole-body self-check in "Where do ticks attach?" Found one? How to get it out of the scalp is in "How to remove a tick properly".
Systematic, not random: TickSpot makes even hidden ticks in hair visible — free in your browser.
Start the tick checkFrequently asked questions
Where on the head do ticks attach most often?
The Robert Koch Institute names mainly the hairline and the ears on the head, plus the neck. So start at the hairline around the face, then carry on behind the ears and at the nape.
Does a nit comb help with a tick check?
A fine-toothed comb helps you part the hair evenly, especially with curly or very thick hair. It won't comb out an attached tick, though — that is gripped close to the skin and pulled out slowly, as anywhere else.
How do I check the back of my own head?
With your phone camera: part the hair, hold the camera behind your head, freeze the frame and study the still image. For the whole back of the head, a second person is the safest option.
What do I do if I find a tick in my scalp?
Part the hair firmly on both sides until you can see where the tick enters the skin, then grip it close to the skin with fine-tipped tweezers and pull it out slowly. Watch the bite over the following weeks; in hair, a photo from the day of the bite helps.
Sources
- Robert Koch Institute: Tick FAQ (bite sites on the head, nymph size — in German)
Note: This article does not replace medical advice. After a tick bite or if unsure, seek medical advice.