How can lice and nits be removed from long hair? - briefly
Apply a pediculicide shampoo, then comb the damp, conditioned hair with a fine-tooth nit comb, processing small sections from scalp to tips. Clean personal items and repeat the combing after 7–10 days to eradicate any newly hatched insects.
How can lice and nits be removed from long hair? - in detail
Lice infestations in lengthy hair require a systematic approach that combines chemical action, precise combing, and thorough environmental control.
Begin by washing the scalp with a fine‑tooth lice shampoo. Apply the product according to the label, leave it for the specified time, then rinse with warm water. This step kills active insects but does not affect dormant eggs.
Next, use a metal nit comb with teeth spaced 0.2 mm apart. While the hair remains damp, section it into manageable portions (approximately 4‑inch sections). Starting at the scalp, pull the comb through each strand to the ends, wiping the teeth with a tissue after each pass. Repeat the process for every section, then rinse the hair again.
If a chemical option is preferred, select a pediculicide containing 1 % permethrin or 0.5 % malathion. Apply to dry hair, saturating the scalp and shafts, leave for the recommended duration (usually 10 minutes), then wash out. Follow with a second application after seven days to eliminate any newly hatched lice.
For households that avoid pharmaceuticals, a heated oil treatment can be effective. Warm olive or coconut oil to a temperature that is comfortable to the scalp, coat the hair thoroughly, cover with a shower cap, and leave for one hour. The oil immobilizes lice and suffocates nits, after which the hair should be combed with the nit comb described above.
After removal, clean all personal items that have contacted the hair. Wash bedding, towels, and clothing in water above 60 °C or place them in a sealed bag for two weeks. Vacuum carpets, upholstery, and car seats; discard hairbrushes or soak them in hot, soapy water for 30 minutes.
Maintain vigilance by inspecting the scalp weekly for four weeks. Promptly repeat the combing procedure if any live insects are observed. Regular use of a preventative nit comb during routine grooming reduces the risk of recurrence.