How many lice are removed? - briefly
A standard treatment eradicates all detectable lice, usually ranging from five to ten insects per infestation. Subsequent inspections confirm complete removal.
How many lice are removed? - in detail
The quantity of parasites extracted during a treatment session depends on infestation severity, detection method, and removal technique.
Typical ranges observed in clinical practice:
- Light infestation – 5 to 15 individuals removed per session.
- Moderate infestation – 20 to 50 individuals removed.
- Heavy infestation – 60 to 200+ individuals removed, occasionally exceeding 300 in extreme cases.
Factors influencing the count:
- Detection accuracy – Microscopic examination of combed hair samples yields precise counts, while visual inspection may underestimate numbers.
- Age of host – Children often harbor higher densities due to frequent head‑to‑head contact.
- Duration of infestation – Longer untreated periods allow population growth, increasing the removal tally.
- Treatment modality – Manual removal with fine combs typically extracts fewer parasites per pass than chemical agents that immobilize and facilitate extraction.
Procedural steps for reliable quantification:
- Collect a standardized hair sample (approximately 1 cm²) from multiple scalp regions.
- Comb the sample with a nit‑comb, transferring each pass to a white surface for counting.
- Record the total number of live lice, nymphs, and viable eggs.
- Repeat the process after each treatment cycle to assess reduction trends.
Accurate documentation of removed parasites enables evaluation of treatment efficacy and guides adjustments in therapeutic strategy.