How can lice and nits be removed from long hair at home? - briefly
Apply a generous amount of conditioner, then comb the hair with a fine‑tooth nit comb, wiping the comb after each pass; repeat the process every 2–3 days for two weeks while washing bedding and clothing in hot water. Use a second treatment, such as a dimethicone‑based lice spray, if live insects persist after the initial combing.
How can lice and nits be removed from long hair at home? - in detail
Removing head‑lice and their eggs from long hair at home requires a systematic approach that combines thorough combing, appropriate treatment agents, and careful post‑treatment care.
Begin by gathering the necessary tools: a fine‑toothed nit comb (0.2 mm spacing), a wide‑toothed detangling comb, a bowl of warm water, a mild conditioner, disposable gloves, and a plastic cap or towel to contain the hair. Wash the scalp with regular shampoo, rinse, then apply a generous amount of conditioner. The conditioner lubricates the strands, allowing the nit comb to glide without breaking the hair.
The manual removal process follows these steps:
- Section the hair into manageable 2‑inch portions using hair clips.
- Starting at the scalp, run the nit comb through each section from root to tip in a slow, steady motion.
- After each pass, wipe the comb on a paper towel or rinse it in the water bowl to remove captured insects and eggs.
- Repeat the combing for every section, ensuring each pass overlaps the previous one by at least half the section width.
- Once the entire head has been processed, repeat the entire combing routine after 24 hours, then again after 7 days to eliminate any newly hatched nymphs.
If a chemical or over‑the‑counter product is preferred, select a lice‑killing formulation that contains either 1 % permethrin or 0.5 % pyrethrin. Follow the label precisely: apply to dry hair, leave for the recommended duration (usually 10 minutes), then rinse thoroughly. After chemical treatment, repeat the nit‑combing procedure described above to extract remaining eggs.
Alternative non‑chemical options include:
- Hot oil treatment: Heat a small amount of olive or coconut oil to a safe temperature, apply to the scalp, cover with a plastic cap for 30 minutes, then comb out nits.
- Vinegar rinse: Dilute white vinegar with equal parts water, pour over the hair, let sit for 5 minutes, then comb. The acidity helps loosen the egg’s attachment.
Post‑treatment steps are essential to prevent reinfestation:
- Wash all bedding, clothing, and towels in hot water (≥ 130 °F) and dry on high heat.
- Vacuum carpets, upholstered furniture, and car seats.
- Store combs and brushes in sealed plastic bags for 48 hours.
- Inspect hair daily for the next two weeks, repeating combing if any live lice are observed.
By adhering to this detailed protocol—pre‑treatment conditioning, meticulous combing, optional approved topical agents, and rigorous cleaning—lice and their eggs can be eliminated from long hair without professional intervention.