How can you quickly remove lice and nits at home from long hair? - briefly
Apply a generous amount of conditioner, then comb the wet hair with a fine‑tooth lice comb, removing lice and nits section by section; repeat the process after 24–48 hours to catch any hatchlings. Follow with a thorough wash using an over‑the‑counter pediculicide if the infestation persists.
How can you quickly remove lice and nits at home from long hair? - in detail
Lice and their eggs can be eradicated from lengthy hair at home by combining a potent combing technique with an effective topical treatment. Follow these precise actions:
- Apply a licensed pediculicide or a 1% permethrin lotion to damp hair, ensuring coverage from scalp to tips. Leave the product on for the time specified on the label, then rinse thoroughly.
- While hair remains wet, use a fine‑toothed nit comb (spacing 0.2 mm). Start at the scalp, pull the comb through a section of hair, and wipe the teeth after each pass. Work in 1‑inch sections, moving from the crown toward the ends.
- After the first combing session, rinse hair with lukewarm water, apply a second dose of the same product after 7–10 days, and repeat the combing process. This second treatment eliminates any newly hatched nits that survived the initial application.
- For a non‑chemical option, soak hair in a mixture of 2 % dimethicone (found in some hair conditioners) for 30 minutes, then comb as described. Dimethicone suffocates lice and loosens eggs, allowing removal without insecticide exposure.
- Dispose of all combed-out lice and nits by sealing them in a plastic bag and discarding them in an outdoor trash container. Wash any brushes, hats, pillowcases, and bedding in hot water (≥ 60 °C) and dry on high heat for at least 30 minutes.
- Maintain vigilance for the next three weeks by inspecting the scalp every two days. If live insects are observed, repeat the treatment cycle immediately.
These steps, executed promptly and consistently, achieve rapid elimination of head‑lice infestations in long hair without professional assistance.