How to rinse the head for lice?

How to rinse the head for lice? - briefly

Use warm water with a mild detergent while combing the hair with a fine‑tooth lice comb, then repeat the rinse and combing after 7‑10 days to remove any remaining nits. Avoid harsh chemicals; thorough rinsing and manual removal are sufficient.

How to rinse the head for lice? - in detail

Effective scalp cleansing removes live parasites and their eggs, reducing re‑infestation risk.

Preparation begins with assembling a fine‑toothed comb, a mild anti‑lice shampoo, warm water (approximately 38 °C), a clean towel, and a disposable basin. Clothing should be loose to allow thorough wetting; bedding and personal items require washing at 60 °C or isolation for two weeks.

The procedure follows these steps:

  1. Wet the hair completely, ensuring water reaches the scalp.
  2. Apply a generous amount of anti‑lice shampoo, massaging into the roots for at least five minutes; the formulation must remain moist throughout.
  3. Rinse slowly, allowing water to flow from the crown toward the neck, preventing premature drying of the shampoo.
  4. While hair remains damp, run a fine‑toothed comb through sections of about 5 cm, starting at the scalp and moving toward the tips; repeat each section three times.
  5. After combing, rinse again to remove detached parasites and debris.
  6. Dry the scalp with a clean towel, avoiding vigorous rubbing that could damage hair shafts.

Post‑treatment measures include:

  • Repeating the combing process every 24 hours for three consecutive days to capture newly hatched nits.
  • Inspecting the scalp daily for live parasites; any detection warrants an additional shampoo cycle.
  • Laundering all clothing, hats, and bed linens used during the infestation at high temperature or sealing them in airtight bags for at least 48 hours.

Precautions:

  • Avoid hot water exceeding 45 °C, which can cause scalp burns.
  • Do not use harsh chemicals such as bleach on the scalp; they may irritate skin and damage hair.
  • For children under two years, select a pediatric‑approved shampoo and limit exposure time to the recommended duration.

Consistent application of the outlined rinsing protocol eliminates «lice» and «nits», restoring a healthy scalp environment.