How to fight lice on the head with long hair at home? - briefly
Apply a pediculicide shampoo, keep hair wet and conditioned, then comb with a fine‑toothed lice comb from scalp to tips, cleaning the comb after each stroke; repeat the combing every 3‑4 days for two weeks. Wash all bedding, clothing and personal items in hot water and vacuum surfaces to remove stray nits.
How to fight lice on the head with long hair at home? - in detail
Treating head‑lice infestation in long hair can be accomplished safely at home with a systematic approach. The process consists of three phases: preparation, removal, and prevention.
Preparation requires selecting an appropriate pediculicide or a natural alternative. Over‑the‑counter products containing permethrin (1 %) or pyrethrin are approved for use on children older than two months. For chemical‑free options, a mixture of equal parts olive oil and tea‑tree oil (5 % concentration) can suffocate insects. Apply the chosen agent to dry hair, ensuring complete coverage from scalp to tips. Use a fine‑tooth comb to distribute the product evenly. Leave the treatment on for the time specified by the manufacturer, typically 10 minutes, then rinse thoroughly with warm water.
Removal focuses on mechanical extraction. After rinsing, dampen hair with a spray bottle. Comb through sections of approximately 2 cm, starting at the scalp and moving toward the ends. Discard each comb stroke onto a white paper towel to verify the presence of live lice or nits. Repeat the combing process at least three times per section. Continue until no live insects are observed after two consecutive passes. Dispose of extracted material by sealing in a plastic bag and discarding in an outdoor trash container.
Prevention involves environmental decontamination and regular monitoring. Wash all bedding, towels, and clothing used within the previous 48 hours in water hotter than 60 °C; dry on high heat for a minimum of 30 minutes. Vacuum carpets, upholstered furniture, and car seats; discard vacuum bags immediately. Seal non‑washable items (e.g., hats, scarves) in sealed plastic bags for two weeks to starve any remaining eggs. Conduct weekly comb‑through inspections for at least four weeks, repeating the treatment if live lice are detected.
A concise checklist summarises the protocol:
- Choose pediculicide or oil mixture; apply to dry hair.
- Allow prescribed contact time; rinse thoroughly.
- Wet hair; comb with fine‑tooth comb in 2 cm sections.
- Discard each comb stroke; repeat until no lice appear.
- Launder all contact textiles in ≥60 °C water; dry on high heat.
- Vacuum living areas; seal non‑washable items for 14 days.
- Perform weekly inspections for one month; retreat if necessary.
Adhering to these steps eliminates active infestation and minimizes the risk of reinfestation, even when hair length complicates access to the scalp.