How to cure lice and nits in a child? - briefly
Apply an approved pediculicide—e.g., 1 % permethrin cream rinse—according to the label, then comb the hair with a fine‑toothed nit comb to remove remaining eggs. Repeat the treatment in 7–10 days, launder bedding and clothing in hot water, and clean the environment to stop reinfestation.
How to cure lice and nits in a child? - in detail
Treating head lice and their eggs in a child requires a systematic approach that combines chemical or mechanical eradication, thorough cleaning of personal items, and preventive measures to avoid reinfestation.
First, confirm the presence of live lice and viable nits. Examine the scalp under bright light, parting hair close to the scalp, and look for adult insects (about the size of a sesame seed) and oval-shaped eggs attached within ¼ inch of the scalp. Use a fine-toothed lice comb to separate lice from hair; moving the comb from the roots to the tips while pulling the hair taut improves detection.
Choose a treatment method:
- Over‑the‑counter pediculicides – products containing permethrin 1 % or pyrethrin with piperonyl‑butoxide. Apply according to package directions, typically to dry hair, leave for the specified time, then rinse. Repeat the application after 7–10 days to eliminate newly hatched lice.
- Prescription options – malathion 0.5 % lotion, benzyl alcohol 5 % lotion, ivermectin 0.5 % lotion, or spinosad 0.9 % suspension. These are reserved for resistant cases or when OTC agents fail. Follow the clinician’s instructions precisely.
- Mechanical removal – wet‑comb technique using a fine‑toothed nit comb. After washing hair, apply a conditioner to ease combing, then run the comb from scalp to tip in 10‑minute sessions, repeating every 2–3 days for two weeks. This method avoids chemicals but demands diligence.
After chemical or mechanical treatment, remove residual nits:
- Section hair into manageable sections.
- Comb each section with a nit comb, wiping the comb on a white paper towel after each pass to visualize removed eggs.
- Discard or sterilize the comb between sections (soak in hot water for 10 minutes).
Sanitize the child’s environment to prevent re‑infestation:
- Wash clothing, bedding, and towels used within the previous 48 hours in hot water (≥ 130 °F) and dry on high heat for at least 30 minutes.
- Seal non‑washable items (e.g., stuffed animals) in a sealed plastic bag for two weeks.
- Vacuum carpets, upholstery, and car seats; discard vacuum bags or clean canisters afterward.
- Avoid sharing combs, hats, hair accessories, or headphones until treatment is complete.
Monitor progress:
- Conduct a visual inspection 24 hours after treatment; presence of live lice indicates treatment failure and may require a second‑line agent.
- Perform a follow‑up comb check every 2 days for two weeks; any surviving nits should be removed manually.
- If live lice persist after two treatment cycles, obtain a prescription from a healthcare provider.
Implement preventive habits:
- Teach the child to avoid head‑to‑head contact during play.
- Keep hair tied back for children with long hair.
- Regularly inspect the scalp, especially after group activities such as camps or school outings.
By adhering to this comprehensive protocol—accurate identification, appropriate therapeutic choice, meticulous nit removal, thorough environmental decontamination, and ongoing surveillance—parents can effectively eradicate head lice and minimize the risk of recurrence.