How can chlorine water be used against lice and nits on long hair? - briefly
Diluted chlorine solution (about 1 % sodium hypochlorite) can be poured over clean, wet long hair, left for 5–10 minutes, then rinsed thoroughly and combed with a fine‑toothed nit comb to kill lice and their eggs. Apply with gloves, monitor for scalp irritation, and repeat the treatment after 7–10 days to eliminate any newly hatched nits.
How can chlorine water be used against lice and nits on long hair? - in detail
Chlorine‑based solutions can eliminate head‑lice and their eggs when applied correctly to lengthy hair. The active agent is sodium hypochlorite, typically present in household bleach at 5–6 % concentration. Diluting bleach to a safe level and ensuring thorough contact with the scalp and hair shafts are essential for efficacy and safety.
- Prepare a 0.5 % chlorine solution by mixing one part regular bleach with nine parts water. Use a clean container and stir gently; avoid frothing.
- Test the mixture on a small skin area for irritation. Discontinue if redness or burning occurs.
- Apply the solution to dry hair, saturating the entire length from roots to tips. Use a spray bottle or a wide‑tooth comb dipped in the liquid to distribute evenly.
- Allow the solution to remain on the hair for 10–15 minutes. The contact time kills both adult insects and developing eggs.
- Rinse hair thoroughly with lukewarm water, then wash with a mild shampoo to remove residual chlorine.
- Comb the hair with a fine‑toothed nit comb while still damp to extract dead lice and detached nits.
Key safety considerations:
- Do not exceed a 0.5 % concentration; higher levels can damage hair cuticle and irritate the scalp.
- Limit treatment to a single application; repeat after 7–10 days only if live lice are observed.
- Avoid use on chemically treated, dyed, or severely damaged hair, as chlorine may exacerbate degradation.
- Keep the solution away from eyes, mucous membranes, and broken skin.
Effectiveness depends on complete saturation of the hair shaft, because nits adhere tightly to the cuticle. Inadequate coverage leaves viable eggs, leading to reinfestation. For individuals with sensitive skin or known chlorine allergies, alternative pediculicides (e.g., dimethicone‑based products) are preferable.