How to effectively remove lice at home? - briefly
«Apply a medicated lice shampoo, then comb wet hair with a fine-toothed nit comb, repeating the process every 7 days for two weeks to ensure all nits are removed». «Wash bedding, clothing, and personal items in hot water and vacuum furniture to prevent re‑infestation».
How to effectively remove lice at home? - in detail
Lice infestations require swift, thorough action to eliminate both adult insects and their eggs. The following protocol combines proven chemical and mechanical methods, ensuring complete eradication without professional assistance.
1. Identify the infestation. Examine the scalp with a fine‑tooth comb, focusing on the nape of the neck and behind the ears. Live lice appear as small, grayish insects; nits are oval, firmly attached to hair shafts within ¼ inch from the scalp.
2. Select a treatment product. Choose a pediculicide containing 1 % permethrin or 0.5 % pyrethrin, applied according to the manufacturer’s instructions. For resistant strains, a 0.5 % malathion solution or a dimethicone‑based lotion may be preferable.
3. Apply the product. Saturate dry hair with the chosen preparation, ensuring coverage from roots to tips. Leave the medication on the scalp for the recommended duration (typically 10 minutes), then rinse thoroughly with warm water.
4. Mechanical removal. While hair remains damp, use a fine‑tooth nit comb, pulling from the scalp outward in 1‑inch sections. After each pass, wipe the comb on a white tissue to verify removal of lice or nits. Repeat the combing process for at least 30 minutes, covering the entire head.
5. Repeat treatment. Conduct a second application 7‑9 days after the initial dose to target newly hatched lice that survived the first round. Follow the same combing routine after the second treatment.
6. Environmental sanitation. Wash all recently worn clothing, bedding, and towels in hot water (≥ 60 °C) and dry on high heat. Items that cannot be laundered should be sealed in plastic bags for two weeks, depriving lice of a host.
7. Prevent re‑infestation. Advise avoidance of head‑to‑head contact, sharing of hats, hairbrushes, or personal care items. Regularly inspect all household members for signs of lice for two weeks following treatment.
Successful elimination depends on strict adherence to the timeline, thorough combing, and proper handling of personal items. Failure to repeat the treatment or to address environmental reservoirs often results in persistent infestation.