Abstract: The present invention provides a method for detecting chitin-containing organisms on an area of a person or animal by contacting the particular area with a dye that is capable of biding to chitin and emitting fluorescence upon exposure to light. If a chitin-containing organism is present in the treated area, the chitin of the organism will bind the dye and, upon exposure to light, the chitin-containing organisms may be visualized and removed. Also provided by the present invention are solutions and suspensions that contain a dye capable of binding to a chitin-containing organism and emitting florescence upon exposure to light. The solutions and suspensions provided herein may be in the form of a shampoo, cream, lotion or detergent for the detection of chitin-containing organisms present in body hair, on the skin, clothing or the fur of animals. The solutions and suspensions may also be in a form suitable for spraying on clothes, as well as on the hair, skin and fur.