How can lice be extracted? - briefly
Apply a pediculicidal lotion or a silicone‑based suffocating agent, then comb wet hair with a fine‑toothed nit comb, moving from scalp outward to capture lice and nits. Rinse and repeat the combing process at 48‑hour intervals for one week to ensure complete removal.
How can lice be extracted? - in detail
Effective lice removal requires a systematic approach that combines mechanical extraction, chemical treatment, and environmental control.
Mechanical removal involves using a fine-toothed nit comb on wet, conditioned hair. The hair should be divided into sections; each section is combed from scalp to tip, then the comb is rinsed after every pass to prevent re‑infestation. Repeating the process every 2–3 days for two weeks eliminates newly hatched nits before they mature.
Chemical options include over‑the‑counter pediculicides containing permethrin (1 %) or pyrethrin. Application follows the product’s instructions: apply to dry hair, leave for the specified duration, then rinse thoroughly. For resistant infestations, a second‑generation agent such as dimethicone, a silicone‑based product, can be used; it suffocates lice without neurotoxic effects.
Environmental measures reduce reinfestation risk. Wash clothing, bedding, and towels used within the previous 48 hours in hot water (≥ 60 °C) and tumble‑dry on high heat. Non‑washable items should be sealed in a plastic bag for two weeks. Vacuum carpets and upholstered furniture to remove stray nits.
A combined protocol may be summarized as follows:
- Apply a silicone‑based treatment to dry hair; follow label timing.
- Rinse hair, then immediately comb with a nit comb, section by section.
- Repeat combing every 48 hours for ten days.
- Launder all personal items in hot water; seal remaining items for two weeks.
- Vacuum living areas thoroughly.
Adhering to this regimen maximizes eradication success and minimizes the likelihood of recurrence.