How should lice be combed out with a comb? - briefly
Apply conditioner to damp hair, then pull a fine‑toothed nit comb from the scalp outward, cleaning the comb after each pass; repeat the procedure every few days until no live lice or viable nits remain.
How should lice be combed out with a comb? - in detail
Begin by selecting a metal or plastic nit‑comb with teeth spaced 0.2–0.3 mm apart. Prepare a well‑lit area, preferably near a sink, and lay a white towel to catch debris. Gather a regular conditioner, a fine mist of water spray bottle, and a disposable container for collected lice.
- Wet the hair thoroughly; dampness reduces friction and prevents breakage.
- Apply a generous amount of conditioner from the roots to the tips; this lubricates strands and immobilizes eggs.
- Rinse lightly, leaving the hair moist but not dripping.
Divide the hair into sections of 2–3 cm, securing each with a clip. Starting at the scalp, place the comb’s teeth as close to the skin as possible and pull forward in a smooth, continuous motion to the hair tip. After each pass, wipe the comb on the towel, then rinse it in a bowl of soapy water to remove trapped insects. Repeat the forward stroke three times per section before moving to the next segment.
After completing the entire head, inspect the towel and the comb for live lice or nits. Transfer any captured specimens to the disposable container for disposal. Rinse the hair again with conditioner, then blow‑dry on a cool setting to avoid re‑adhesion of eggs.
Repeat the combing process every 2–3 days for two weeks, as newly hatched lice may emerge from surviving eggs. Use a magnifying lamp or a bright LED flashlight to verify the absence of viable nits attached to the hair shaft. Clean the comb after each session with hot, soapy water and store it in a sealed container until the next use.