How to comb out lice at home? - briefly
Use a fine‑toothed nit comb on damp, conditioned hair, starting at the scalp and moving toward the ends, cleaning the comb after each pass. Repeat the process every 2–3 days for two weeks while washing bedding and clothing in hot water to prevent re‑infestation.
How to comb out lice at home? - in detail
Removing head lice with a fine‑toothed comb can be performed without professional assistance when the process follows a systematic routine.
Begin by gathering the necessary items: a metal or plastic lice comb with teeth spaced 0.2 mm apart, a regular fine‑toothed comb for detangling, a thick conditioner or a detangling spray, a white towel, and a sealable container for collected insects.
Apply a generous amount of conditioner to dry hair, allowing it to sit for several minutes. The conditioner immobilises the lice and eases the passage of the comb through each strand.
Divide the hair into sections no wider than one inch. Secure each section with a clip, then comb from the scalp outward, moving the lice comb slowly and repeatedly until the entire length of the strand has been covered. After each pass, wipe the comb on the white towel, then rinse it in warm water to remove any captured lice or nits.
Repeat the combing process for every section, ensuring that each pass overlaps the previous one by at least half the section width. Once all sections have been treated, inspect the towel for live lice and nits. Transfer any found insects to the sealable container and discard it in an outdoor trash bin.
Perform the entire routine every 2–3 days for a period of ten days, as newly hatched lice emerge from eggs within this timeframe.
Maintain a clean environment by washing bedding, hats, and hair accessories in hot water (minimum 60 °C) and drying them on high heat. Non‑washable items should be sealed in a plastic bag for two weeks.
Consistent application of the described combing schedule, combined with thorough laundering of personal items, eliminates an active infestation without the need for chemical treatments.