How can I quickly remove lice at home from girls with long hair? - briefly
Use a fast‑acting pediculicide (e.g., 1% permethrin) on the scalp, then comb the wet hair with a fine‑tooth nit comb from roots to tips, removing each louse and nit; repeat the treatment after 7–10 days to catch any newly hatched insects.
How can I quickly remove lice at home from girls with long hair? - in detail
Removing head‑lice infestations from girls with long hair requires a systematic approach that combines thorough combing, appropriate treatment, and preventive measures.
Begin by preparing the environment. Wash all bedding, hats, hair accessories, and clothing in hot water (at least 130 °F/54 °C) and dry on high heat. Vacuum carpets and upholstered furniture to eliminate any stray nits that may have fallen.
Next, apply a suitable lice‑killing product. Over‑the‑counter shampoos or lotions containing 1 % permethrin or 0.5 % pyrethrin are effective when used according to the label. Apply the product to dry hair, ensuring complete coverage from scalp to tips. Leave it on for the recommended time (usually 10 minutes), then rinse thoroughly.
After treatment, the decisive step is manual removal:
- Detangle the hair with a wide‑tooth comb, then a fine‑tooth lice comb.
- Work in sections 1–2 inches wide, starting at the scalp and moving to the ends.
- After each pass, wipe the comb on a white paper towel; any live insects will be visible.
- Repeat the combing process every 4–6 hours for the first 24 hours, then once daily for the next two days to catch newly hatched lice.
For long hair, it helps to secure the strands in a loose braid or ponytail before combing; this keeps the hair manageable and reduces breakage. Use a conditioner or a small amount of olive oil on the comb to ease sliding through thick hair.
If a second treatment is advised by the product instructions (often after 7–9 days), repeat the application and combing routine to eradicate any surviving nymphs.
Finally, implement preventive habits: discourage sharing of hairbrushes, hats, and hair accessories; perform weekly inspections of the scalp; and keep hair tied back during playdates where close contact is common.
Following this protocol consistently eliminates the infestation quickly and minimizes the risk of recurrence.