How to comb out lice with a regular comb? - briefly
«Use a fine‑toothed metal comb on wet, conditioned hair, starting at the scalp and moving toward the ends, rinsing the comb after each pass.»
«Continue the process every 2‑3 days until no live lice or viable nits are detected.»
How to comb out lice with a regular comb? - in detail
Removing head‑lice with an ordinary fine‑toothed comb requires a systematic approach. The process begins with thorough preparation, proceeds with precise combing, and ends with proper sanitation.
The hair should be washed with a regular shampoo and rinsed completely. After drying, apply a dense conditioning agent or a light oil to immobilize the insects and facilitate slide‑off. The product must coat each strand from root to tip.
The combing stage follows these steps:
- Separate the hair into sections no wider than two centimeters; secure each section with a clip.
- Starting at the scalp, run the fine‑toothed instrument through the first section, pulling it slowly toward the hair tip.
- After each pass, wipe the comb on a clean white tissue; any visible insects or nits must be removed immediately.
- Repeat the pass on the same section three times before moving to the next, ensuring no segment is missed.
- After completing all sections, repeat the entire routine after 24 hours to capture any newly hatched lice.
Post‑treatment measures include washing all clothing, bedding, and personal items in hot water (minimum 60 °C) or sealing them in a plastic bag for two weeks. The comb itself must be soaked in hot, soapy water for at least ten minutes, then rinsed and dried.
Additional recommendations:
- Perform the combing on a well‑lit surface to improve visibility of the insects.
- Use a magnifying glass if necessary to confirm removal of nits attached to hair shafts.
- Avoid using hair products that create a slippery film, as they may hinder the comb’s grip.
Following this disciplined routine eliminates the infestation without the need for chemical treatments, relying solely on the mechanical action of a regular fine‑toothed comb.