How can you destroy lice and nits at home? - briefly
Treat hair with a 1 % permethrin preparation, leave for the recommended time, rinse, and comb with a fine‑toothed nit comb to extract eggs. Wash all bedding, clothing, and personal items in water at least 130 °F and dry on high heat to eradicate any surviving parasites.
How can you destroy lice and nits at home? - in detail
Eliminating head‑lice infestations and their eggs at home requires a systematic approach that combines direct removal, chemical or natural treatments, and thorough sanitation of personal items and the environment.
The first step is accurate detection. Use a fine‑toothed comb on damp hair, sectioning the scalp to expose any adult insects or attached eggs. Examine the comb after each pass; live lice appear as small, tan‑brown insects, while nits cling firmly to the hair shaft near the scalp.
Direct removal:
- Apply a conditioner or detangling spray to lubricate the hair and reduce comb friction.
- Starting at the crown, run a metal nit‑comb from the scalp outward, cleaning the comb after each stroke.
- Repeat the process every 2–3 days for two weeks to capture newly hatched lice.
Chemical treatments:
- Commercial pediculicides containing 1 % permethrin or 0.5 % pyrethrin may be applied according to the product label, typically leaving the solution on the scalp for 10 minutes before rinsing.
- For resistant cases, products with 0.05 % malathion or 0.2 % spinosad provide alternative mechanisms of action.
- Follow all safety instructions, avoiding excessive exposure to skin and eyes.
Natural alternatives:
- A 20 % concentration of tea‑tree oil mixed with a carrier oil can be applied to the scalp, left for 30 minutes, then washed out.
- A 10 % solution of neem oil applied similarly offers insecticidal properties.
- Both options require repeated application every 3–4 days for two weeks.
Environmental sanitation:
- Wash all clothing, bedding, and towels used within the previous 48 hours in hot water (≥ 60 °C) and dry on high heat for at least 30 minutes.
- Seal non‑washable items in a sealed plastic bag for two weeks, preventing re‑infestation.
- Vacuum carpets, upholstered furniture, and car seats; discard vacuum bags or clean the canister immediately.
- Soak combs, brushes, and hair accessories in hot water (≥ 50 °C) for 10 minutes or immerse in isopropyl alcohol for 5 minutes.
Follow‑up monitoring:
- Conduct a visual inspection 7 days after the initial treatment; repeat combing and, if necessary, a second application of the chosen product.
- Continue weekly checks for an additional three weeks to confirm eradication.
Combining meticulous mechanical removal with appropriate topical agents and rigorous cleaning of personal and household items provides the most reliable method for eradicating head lice and their eggs without professional intervention.