How should one care for hair to prevent lice? - briefly
Maintain clean hair by regularly washing with a mild shampoo, avoiding the sharing of combs, hats, or towels, and inspecting the scalp after close contact with others; promptly remove any nits with a fine-toothed comb and keep hair dry, as moisture creates a favorable environment for infestation.
How should one care for hair to prevent lice? - in detail
Proper hair hygiene reduces the likelihood of head‑lice infestations. Regular washing with a mild shampoo removes debris that can attract insects. Rinse thoroughly and dry completely; moisture creates an environment conducive to lice survival.
- Trim hair to a manageable length, especially for children. Shorter strands are easier to inspect and less likely to entangle nits.
- Use a fine‑toothed comb on damp hair after each wash. Move the comb from scalp to tip in sections, cleaning the teeth after each pass.
- Avoid sharing personal items such as combs, brushes, hats, hair accessories, or towels. Store these objects in separate containers.
- Keep hair products simple. Heavy gels, oils, or waxes can coat strands, making it harder to spot and remove eggs.
- Perform weekly visual inspections. Look for live insects or tiny, oval nits attached within 1 cm of the scalp.
- Maintain clean living spaces. Vacuum carpets and upholstered furniture, and wash bedding in hot water (≥ 130 °F) weekly during outbreaks.
If an infestation is confirmed, treat the hair with an approved pediculicide according to label directions, then repeat the combing procedure after 7–10 days to eliminate any newly hatched lice. Follow up with another inspection after two weeks to ensure complete eradication.