How should a child's head be treated for lice and nits? - briefly
Apply a pediculicide shampoo or lotion as directed, leave it on for the specified duration, then rinse and comb the hair with a fine-toothed nit comb to remove live lice and eggs; repeat the process in 7–10 days to eradicate any newly hatched insects. Ensure thorough cleaning of bedding and personal items to prevent reinfestation.
How should a child's head be treated for lice and nits? - in detail
Treating a child’s scalp infestation requires a systematic approach: confirm the presence of lice, apply an appropriate pediculicide, eliminate residual nits, and sanitize the environment.
First, inspect the hair closely. Use a fine‑tooth comb on damp hair, parting sections from the crown outward. Live insects appear as grayish‑white bodies; nits cling to the shaft within ¼ inch of the scalp. If any are found, proceed to treatment.
Choose a medication based on age and resistance patterns. Options include:
- Permethrin 1 % lotion – approved for children six months and older; apply to dry hair, leave for 10 minutes, then rinse.
- Pyrethrin‑based products – for children older than two years; follow label directions precisely.
- Benzyl alcohol 5 % lotion – suitable for children six months and older; apply for 10 minutes, then wash out.
- Ivermectin 0.5 % lotion – prescription‑only, for children twelve months and older; a single 10‑minute application often suffices.
For children under the minimum age of a given product, consult a pediatrician for alternative regimens.
After the first application, repeat the same treatment after 7–10 days to eradicate newly hatched lice that survived the initial dose. Do not exceed the recommended number of applications without medical advice.
Nit removal is critical. While the medication kills insects, it does not dissolve eggs. Use a metal nit comb, moving from the scalp outward in 1‑inch increments. Comb each section at least five times, rinsing the comb after each pass. Repeat the combing process daily for a week, then every other day for another week to ensure all nits are removed.
Environmental decontamination reduces reinfestation risk:
- Wash bedding, towels, and clothing worn within 48 hours in hot water (≥ 130 °F) and dry on high heat.
- Items that cannot be laundered should be sealed in plastic bags for two weeks or exposed to sunlight for 48 hours.
- Vacuum carpets, upholstered furniture, and car seats; discard the vacuum bag or clean the canister afterward.
Monitor the child for three weeks. If live lice are observed after the second treatment, seek medical evaluation; resistance to permethrin and pyrethrins is increasingly common and may require a prescription‑only agent such as malathion or ivermectin.
Preventive measures include:
- Discouraging head‑to‑head contact during play.
- Avoiding shared combs, hats, and hair accessories.
- Conducting routine inspections in schools or daycare settings.
Following these steps systematically eliminates the infestation and minimizes the likelihood of recurrence.