How to remove lice at home from a child? - briefly
Apply a pediculicide shampoo or a natural oil treatment, leave it on for the recommended duration, then comb the hair with a fine‑toothed «nit comb» at 1‑cm intervals, removing each nymph and egg. Repeat the combing every 2–3 days for two weeks to ensure complete eradication.
How to remove lice at home from a child? - in detail
Eliminating head lice in a child can be achieved safely at home by following a systematic approach.
Begin with a thorough inspection. Use a fine‑toothed lice comb on dry, clean hair. Separate sections with clips, comb from scalp to tips, and place each combed strand on a white surface to confirm the presence of live insects or viable nits.
Prepare the treatment environment. Wash all bedding, clothing, and personal items in hot water (minimum 60 °C) and dry on high heat for at least 30 minutes. Seal non‑washable items in airtight plastic bags for two weeks to starve any hidden lice.
Apply a proven topical agent. Options include:
- 1 % permethrin lotion, applied to dry hair, left for 10 minutes, then rinsed.
- 0.5 % malathion spray, applied to damp hair, left for 8–12 hours, then washed.
- Dimethicone‑based silicone oil, applied liberally, left for 30 minutes, then combed out.
After the recommended exposure time, rinse hair thoroughly with lukewarm water. Immediately follow with a nit‑removal comb, working from the scalp outward in 1‑inch sections. Remove each discovered nymph or egg, wiping the comb on a damp cloth between passes.
Repeat the combing process every 2–3 days for a total of three sessions, covering the typical hatching cycle of lice eggs.
Monitor for re‑infestation. Conduct weekly checks for at least one month. If live lice are observed after the second treatment, repeat the chosen topical agent and continue combing regimen.
Maintain preventive measures. Advise against sharing hats, hairbrushes, or pillows. Keep hair tied back during playdates. Regularly clean combs and brushes with hot, soapy water.
By adhering to these steps—inspection, environmental decontamination, appropriate topical treatment, systematic nit removal, and vigilant follow‑up—effective eradication of head lice in a child can be achieved without professional intervention.