How to remove lice and nits from an adult? - briefly
Apply a 1 % permethrin shampoo, follow the label’s contact time, and rinse completely. Then comb the hair with a fine-tooth nit comb, repeat the process after 7–10 days to eradicate any remaining eggs.
How to remove lice and nits from an adult? - in detail
Eliminating head lice and their eggs in an adult requires a systematic approach that combines chemical treatment, mechanical removal, and environmental control.
Begin with a medicated shampoo or lotion containing 1 % permethrin, 0.5 % malathion, or a dimethicone‑based product. Apply according to the label: wet the hair, massage the solution into the scalp, leave for the specified time (usually 10 minutes), then rinse thoroughly. Repeat the application after 7–10 days to target newly hatched insects that survived the first dose.
After the chemical step, remove all live insects and eggs manually. Use a fine‑toothed nit comb (spacing 0.2 mm) on damp, conditioned hair. Work from the scalp outward, combing each section several times. After each pass, wipe the comb on a white paper towel to confirm removal; discard any captured lice or nits. Continue combing for at least 30 minutes, then repeat the process daily for one week.
Clean personal items to prevent re‑infestation. Wash clothing, bedding, and towels used within the previous 48 hours in hot water (≥ 60 °C) and dry on high heat. Items that cannot be laundered should be sealed in a plastic bag for two weeks or exposed to a freezer at –20 °C for 24 hours. Vacuum carpets, upholstery, and vehicle seats; discard the vacuum bag afterward.
Monitor the scalp for at least three weeks. If live insects reappear, repeat the medicated treatment and combing regimen. Persistent cases may require prescription‑strength oral ivermectin or a consultation with a healthcare professional.