How can lice be removed from a person's hair? - briefly
Apply a pediculicide shampoo or a vinegar‑water rinse, then run a fine‑toothed nit comb through the wet hair to extract lice and nits. Repeat the combing and treatment every 7 days for two weeks to eliminate any newly hatched insects.
How can lice be removed from a person's hair? - in detail
Lice infestations require systematic eradication to prevent re‑colonisation. Effective control combines chemical agents, mechanical extraction, and environmental sanitation.
Chemical pediculicides contain neurotoxic compounds such as permethrin (1 %), pyrethrin, or dimethicone. Application follows product instructions: hair is saturated, left for the prescribed duration (usually 10 minutes), then rinsed thoroughly. Repeat treatment after seven days eliminates newly hatched nymphs that survived the initial dose. Resistance to pyrethroids is documented; dimethicone, a silicone‑based oil, suffocates insects without neurotoxic action and remains effective against resistant strains.
Mechanical removal relies on a fine‑tooth comb (often called a “nit comb”). The procedure includes:
- Wetting hair with a conditioner to reduce slip.
- Sectioning hair and combing from scalp to tip in a single pass.
- Wiping comb teeth after each stroke to dislodge lice and nits.
- Repeating the combing process every two to three days for ten days to capture all emerging insects.
Alternative physical methods involve heat or oil:
- Applying a hair dryer on a low‑heat setting while combing can desiccate insects, but overheating risks scalp injury.
- Saturating hair with mineral oil or coconut oil for 30 minutes creates a suffocating environment; subsequent combing removes immobilised lice. These methods lack regulatory approval and should complement, not replace, primary treatments.
Post‑treatment measures minimise reinfestation:
- Laundering bedding, clothing, and towels in hot water (≥ 60 °C) and drying on high heat.
- Vacuuming carpets, upholstery, and vehicle seats to capture fallen lice.
- Isolating personal items (combs, brushes) in sealed plastic bags for two weeks.
- Conducting a final inspection of hair after the treatment cycle to confirm absence of live insects.
Adhering to the outlined protocol ensures comprehensive elimination of head‑lice infestations and reduces the likelihood of recurrence.