How can hair be cleaned of lice at home? - briefly
Treat wet hair with a lice‑killing shampoo or conditioner, then comb thoroughly with a fine‑toothed nit comb, rinsing and repeating the process every 48 hours for two weeks. Clean personal items and bedding in hot water or seal them in a plastic bag for several days to prevent re‑infestation.
How can hair be cleaned of lice at home? - in detail
Removing head‑lice infestations without professional assistance requires a systematic approach that combines mechanical removal, safe topical agents, and environmental sanitation.
Initial inspection determines infestation severity. Separate sections of hair, parting strands with a fine‑tooth comb, and examine the scalp for live insects and viable eggs (nits) attached close to the hair shaft.
Mechanical removal
- Wet the hair thoroughly with warm water and a generous amount of conditioner to immobilise lice.
- Use a fine‑tooth nit comb, moving from the scalp outward in 1‑inch increments.
- After each pass, wipe the comb on a white tissue; discard any captured insects.
- Continue combing until no live lice are observed for several consecutive passes.
Topical treatments suitable for home use
- Permethrin‑based shampoos (1 % concentration) applied to dry hair, left for 10 minutes, then rinsed; repeat after 7–10 days to target newly hatched lice.
- Dimethicone lotions, applied to damp hair, left for 8 hours, then washed out; effective because the silicone coating suffocates insects without neurotoxic effects.
- Essential‑oil mixtures (e.g., 0.5 % tea‑tree oil combined with a carrier) applied for 30 minutes; evidence suggests limited efficacy, therefore use as adjunct to mechanical removal.
Environmental decontamination
- Wash all bedding, clothing, and towels used within the previous 48 hours in hot water (≥ 60 °C) and dry on high heat.
- Vacuum carpets, upholstered furniture, and vehicle seats; discard vacuum bags immediately.
- Seal non‑washable items (e.g., hats, hair accessories) in sealed plastic bags for two weeks to starve any remaining lice.
Follow‑up schedule
- Perform wet combing every 2–3 days for two weeks.
- Apply a second dose of chemical treatment 7–10 days after the first application.
- Re‑inspect after the final combing session; absence of live lice and nits confirms successful eradication.
Adherence to the described protocol eliminates the infestation while minimising exposure to potentially harmful chemicals.