How can lice be treated in a child at home? - briefly
Apply an over‑the‑counter pediculicide (e.g., 1 % permethrin or pyrethrin lotion) according to the package instructions, then remove live lice and nits with a fine‑tooth comb. Repeat the application after 7–10 days and wash all bedding, clothing, and personal items in hot water to prevent re‑infestation.
How can lice be treated in a child at home? - in detail
Treating head‑lice infestation in a child can be accomplished safely at home with a systematic approach that combines chemical or natural agents, meticulous combing, and environmental sanitation.
First, confirm the presence of live lice and nits. Examine the scalp under bright light, parting hair close to the scalp. Live insects move quickly; nits appear as tiny, oval, whitish‑gray shells attached to the hair shaft within a quarter‑inch of the scalp.
Select a treatment method:
- Pediculicide shampoo or lotion – products containing 1 % permethrin, 0.5 % pyrethrin, or 0.05 % malathion are approved for children. Apply according to the label, ensuring full coverage of the scalp and hair for the recommended duration, then rinse thoroughly.
- Dimethicone‑based lotion – a silicone oil that suffocates lice without neurotoxic chemicals. Apply to dry hair, leave for the instructed time (usually 10 minutes), then wash out.
- Home‑made options – a mixture of 20 % coconut oil and 0.5 % tea‑tree oil can be applied to damp hair, left for 30 minutes, then rinsed. Evidence of efficacy is limited; use only when chemical products are unavailable or contraindicated.
After the primary application, perform a nit‑comb:
- Use a fine‑toothed lice comb (0.2 mm spacing) on wet, conditioned hair.
- Starting at the scalp, drag the comb down the shaft, wiping each pass on a white paper towel to visualize captured insects.
- Repeat the process every 10 cm of hair, covering the entire head.
- Dispose of collected lice and nits by flushing them down the toilet or sealing in a plastic bag.
Repeat the treatment and combing cycle 7–10 days later to eliminate any newly hatched lice that survived the first round.
Sanitize the environment to prevent re‑infestation:
- Wash the child’s bedding, pillowcases, and clothing in hot water (≥ 130 °F/54 °C) and tumble‑dry on high heat for at least 20 minutes.
- Soak hairbrushes, combs, and hats in hot water for 10 minutes; plastic items can be placed in a sealed bag for two weeks if washing is impractical.
- Vacuum carpets, upholstered furniture, and car seats; discard vacuum bags or clean canisters immediately.
Monitor the child’s scalp daily for a week following the second treatment. Any remaining live lice require an additional application of the chosen product, adhering strictly to label instructions to avoid toxicity.
Document the dates of each treatment, the products used, and the results of comb checks. This record assists healthcare providers if professional intervention becomes necessary.