How to remove household lice from the head? - briefly
Apply a permethrin‑based lice shampoo, follow the label’s exposure time, rinse, and then comb the hair thoroughly with a fine‑toothed nit comb; repeat the process after seven days to eliminate any newly hatched insects.
How to remove household lice from the head? - in detail
Head lice infestations begin with the detection of live insects or their eggs (nits) attached to hair shafts near the scalp. Confirmation requires a fine-tooth comb and close visual inspection; live lice move quickly, while nits appear as tiny, oval, cement‑filled shells fixed at an angle to the hair strand.
Immediate action involves separating the affected individual from others, washing all recently worn clothing, bedding, and personal items in hot water (minimum 130 °F/54 °C) and drying on high heat for at least 20 minutes. Items that cannot be laundered should be sealed in a plastic bag for two weeks to starve any survivors.
Treatment options fall into two categories:
- Chemical agents – FDA‑approved lotions or shampoos containing 1 % permethrin, 0.5 % pyrethrin‑piperonyl butoxide, or 0.05 % malathion. Apply according to product instructions, leave on the scalp for the specified duration, then rinse thoroughly. A second application 7–10 days later eliminates newly hatched lice that survived the first dose.
- Physical methods – high‑temperature steam treatments, dimethicone‑based lotions that suffocate insects, or manual removal with a nit‑comb. Steam devices heat hair to 130 °F/54 °C for 10 minutes; dimethicone products coat lice and eggs, preventing respiration. Manual combing requires a fine‑tooth nit‑comb, systematic passes from scalp to tip, repeated every 2–3 days for two weeks.
Detailed procedure for manual removal:
- Dampen hair with conditioner to reduce slip.
- Divide hair into sections of 2–3 cm.
- Starting at the scalp, run the nit‑comb through each section, pulling gently toward the tip.
- After each pass, wipe the comb on a white paper towel; discard any lice or nits observed.
- Repeat the process for the entire head, then repeat the full combing session after 48 hours and continue every 2 days for 14 days.
Environmental control measures include vacuuming carpets, upholstered furniture, and car seats; washing stuffed animals in hot water or sealing them in a bag for two weeks; and avoiding the exchange of hats, hairbrushes, or headphones.
Preventive practices consist of regular head inspections, especially in school or daycare settings; discouraging head‑to‑head contact during play; and maintaining personal items as private. Implementing these steps consistently eradicates the infestation and minimizes the risk of recurrence.