How can I get rid of lice at home on long hair in one day? - briefly
Apply a thorough nit‑comb treatment after soaking the hair in hot water mixed with shampoo and a few drops of olive oil, then comb from scalp to ends with a fine‑toothed louse comb. Repeat the combing after 30 minutes and wash all bedding and personal items in hot water to prevent re‑infestation.
How can I get rid of lice at home on long hair in one day? - in detail
Eliminating head‑lice infestation from long hair within a single day requires a systematic approach that combines direct treatment, thorough combing, and environmental decontamination.
First, isolate the affected individual and gather the necessary supplies: a fine‑tooth lice comb (minimum 0.2 mm spacing), a pesticide‑free lice‑removing shampoo or a 1 % permethrin lotion, a wide‑tooth conditioner, white towels, disposable gloves, and sealed plastic bags. Prepare a clean, well‑lit area and lay down a white sheet to visualize nits.
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Pre‑treatment preparation
- Apply a generous amount of conditioner to damp hair; let it sit for 5 minutes.
- Use a wide‑tooth comb to detangle, working from the scalp outward.
- Rinse thoroughly, leaving hair slightly wet to aid comb movement.
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Chemical or non‑chemical treatment
- If using an OTC lice shampoo, follow the label: apply to the scalp, massage, leave for the recommended time (usually 10 minutes), then rinse.
- For a permethrin lotion, apply to dry hair, saturating the scalp and hair shaft, wait the specified 10 minutes, then wash out.
- Non‑chemical option: soak hair in a mixture of 1 part white vinegar and 2 parts water for 30 minutes; vinegar loosens the glue that holds nits to hair.
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Wet combing
- While hair remains damp, section it into 2–3 inch sections.
- Starting at the scalp, run the fine‑tooth comb down each strand to the tip, wiping the comb on a white towel after each pass.
- After each pass, dip the comb in a bowl of hot, soapy water to kill any captured lice.
- Continue until every section has been combed at least three times.
- Collect all visible nits and lice on the towel; discard in a sealed bag.
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Repeat combing
- After 12 hours, repeat the wet‑combing process using the same technique.
- A second session captures any newly hatched insects that survived the initial treatment.
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Environmental control
- Place all clothing, bedding, and towels used during treatment into sealed plastic bags for 48 hours or wash them in hot water (≥ 60 °C) and dry on high heat.
- Vacuum carpets, upholstery, and car seats; discard vacuum bags or clean canisters immediately.
- Soak hair brushes, combs, and hair accessories in hot, soapy water for 10 minutes, then rinse and dry.
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Verification
- Examine the scalp under bright light after the second combing session.
- Absence of live lice and nits indicates successful eradication.
- Continue daily checks for the next 7 days; any remaining nits will hatch within this period.
By following these steps—conditioning, targeted treatment, meticulous wet combing performed twice, and thorough decontamination—the infestation can be eliminated from long hair within a day, with follow‑up checks ensuring complete resolution.