How to get rid of lice in teenagers? - briefly
Apply a pediculicide shampoo or lotion approved for adolescents, leave it on the scalp for the recommended time, then rinse and comb the hair with a fine‑toothed nit comb to remove nits and live lice. Wash all clothing, bedding, and personal items in hot water, vacuum surfaces, and repeat treatment in 7–10 days to eliminate any newly hatched insects.
How to get rid of lice in teenagers? - in detail
Head lice infestations are common among adolescents; prompt identification prevents spread and reduces discomfort.
Visual inspection should focus on the scalp, behind the ears, and the nape of the neck. Live insects appear as grayish‑brown insects about 2–3 mm long; nits are oval, yellow‑white, and firmly attached to hair shafts within ¼ inch of the scalp. A bright light and a fine‑toothed comb improve detection accuracy.
First‑line chemical agents include 1 % permethrin shampoo and pyrethrin‑piperonyl‑butoxide mixtures. Apply to dry hair, saturate the scalp, leave for the recommended duration (usually 10 minutes), then rinse thoroughly. Repeat treatment after 7–10 days to eliminate newly hatched lice.
Alternative options comprise dimethicone lotion, which suffocates insects without neurotoxic effects, and oral ivermectin prescribed for resistant cases. Prescription malathion 0.5 % is reserved for severe infestations when over‑the‑counter products fail.
Mechanical removal employs a metal nit comb with 0.2 mm teeth. Section hair, comb from scalp outward, and wipe the comb after each pass. Perform combing daily for a week, then every other day for an additional week to capture any emerging nits.
Environmental measures involve washing clothing, bedding, and towels in hot water (≥ 60 °C) and drying on high heat. Items unable to be laundered should be sealed in plastic bags for two weeks. Vacuum carpets and upholstered furniture to remove stray hairs and lice.
Follow‑up examinations at 7‑day intervals confirm eradication; absence of live lice and viable nits indicates successful treatment.
Prevention strategies include educating adolescents about avoiding head‑to‑head contact, discouraging sharing of hats, hairbrushes, and headphones, and encouraging regular self‑checks after known exposure events.