How to quickly get rid of lice at home in one go?

How to quickly get rid of lice at home in one go? - briefly

Apply a 1 % permethrin or pyrethrin shampoo, leave on the scalp for the recommended duration, rinse thoroughly, and comb hair with a fine‑tooth lice comb to remove nits. Wash all bedding, clothing, and personal items in hot water and repeat the combing after 7–10 days to eliminate any newly hatched lice.

How to quickly get rid of lice at home in one go? - in detail

Lice infestations require immediate, comprehensive action to eliminate all stages of the parasite in a single treatment session. The following protocol combines chemical, physical, and environmental measures to achieve rapid eradication.

First, confirm the presence of live insects by inspecting the scalp and hair shafts with a fine-toothed lice comb. Separate affected hair from unaffected sections, and work on small, manageable portions.

Chemical treatment

  • Apply a pediculicide containing 1 % permethrin or 0,5 % pyrethrin directly to dry hair, following the product’s instructions for dosage and contact time (typically 10 minutes).
  • Rinse thoroughly with lukewarm water, avoiding hot water that may degrade the active ingredient.
  • Immediately after rinsing, use a metal lice comb to remove dead and living nits, moving from the scalp outward in 2‑cm sections.

Physical removal

  • Apply a thick layer of petroleum jelly or olive oil to the entire scalp, covering hair from root to tip. Leave the coating for 30 minutes; the oily medium suffocates lice and loosens egg attachments.
  • Comb the hair with a fine-toothed nit comb while the oil remains, extracting detached nits.
  • Wash the hair with a mild shampoo to remove residual oil, then repeat the combing process once more to ensure complete clearance.

Environmental decontamination

  • Place all washable clothing, bedding, and towels used within the previous 48 hours in hot water (≥ 60 °C) and tumble‑dry on high heat for at least 20 minutes.
  • Seal non‑washable items (hats, scarves, hair accessories) in sealed plastic bags for 72 hours to prevent re‑infestation.
  • Vacuum carpets, upholstered furniture, and vehicle seats; discard the vacuum bag or clean the canister afterward.

Final verification

  • Conduct a second inspection 24 hours after treatment, repeating the combing step if any live insects are observed.
  • Perform a third check one week later to confirm the absence of newly hatched nits.

By integrating chemical suffocation, mechanical extraction, and thorough environmental sanitation, the infestation can be eliminated in a single, decisive effort.