How often should you comb lice? - briefly
Use a fine‑toothed nit comb on damp hair at least once daily, preferably every 12 hours, until two consecutive examinations reveal no live lice or viable nits. Continue the regimen for a full seven‑day period after the last detection to confirm eradication.
How often should you comb lice? - in detail
Regular combing is essential for eliminating head‑lice infestations and preventing re‑colonisation. The interval at which the comb should be used depends on the stage of treatment, hair characteristics, and the presence of live insects.
During the initial phase, before any medicated product is applied, comb the hair once a day. This removes loose nits and reduces the chance of a developing population taking hold. After a treatment has been administered, increase the frequency to two sessions per day—once in the morning and once in the evening. Each session should last several minutes, covering the entire scalp with a fine‑toothed lice comb, preferably on wet hair conditioned to minimise breakage.
When no live lice are observed for three consecutive days, begin a tapering schedule:
- Days 4‑7: comb every other day.
- Days 8‑14: continue every other day, checking for any remaining nits.
- After day 14: comb once a week for an additional two weeks to ensure any newly hatched lice are caught early.
Adjust the schedule if live lice reappear; resume the twice‑daily regimen until the infestation is cleared again.
Effective combing technique includes:
- Wetting hair with a generous amount of conditioner.
- Dividing hair into sections no wider than one inch.
- Dragging the comb from the scalp outward, cleaning the teeth after each pass.
- Inspecting the comb for captured insects and disposing of them promptly.
Monitoring should involve a visual inspection of the scalp and the combed hair after each session. Persistent detection of live lice or viable nits warrants a return to the higher‑frequency schedule and may require additional treatment.