How to treat lice and how to do it? - briefly
Use a pediculicide shampoo or lotion according to the label, leave it on for the specified duration, then remove all nits with a fine-toothed comb and repeat the treatment after 7–10 days. Wash bedding, clothing, and personal items in hot water and avoid sharing hats, brushes, or headphones to prevent reinfestation.
How to treat lice and how to do it? - in detail
Effective control of head‑lice infestations requires a systematic approach that combines chemical, mechanical, and environmental measures.
The first step is accurate identification. Adult lice are about 2–3 mm long, grayish‑brown, and move quickly on the scalp. Nits (eggs) appear as tiny, oval, cemented shells attached to hair shafts, usually within 1 cm of the scalp. Confirm presence by parting hair and using a fine‑toothed lice comb under bright light.
Chemical treatment should follow product instructions precisely. Over‑the‑counter pediculicides contain either permethrin (1 %) or pyrethrin with piperonyl butoxide. Apply to dry hair, saturating the scalp and hair shafts, leave for the recommended duration (typically 10 minutes), then rinse thoroughly. For resistant infestations, a prescription‑only agent such as malathion (0.5 %) or ivermectin (0.5 %) may be required; these are applied similarly but often demand longer exposure times.
Mechanical removal complements chemicals. After the initial treatment, comb the hair with a fine lice comb every 2–3 days for two weeks. Each session should include:
- Sectioning hair into manageable portions.
- Running the comb from scalp to tip in a single, steady stroke.
- Wiping the comb on a white paper towel after each pass to detect any lice.
- Discarding or washing the comb after use.
If chemicals are unsuitable (e.g., allergy, young children), manual removal alone can be effective, though it demands more time and diligence.
Environmental control reduces re‑infestation risk. Wash all bedding, clothing, 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. Vacuum carpets and upholstery to capture stray lice or nits.
Follow‑up assessment is critical. Re‑examine the scalp 7–10 days after the first treatment to verify that live lice are absent. A second application of the chosen pediculicide is often recommended at this interval to eradicate any newly hatched nits that survived the initial cycle.
Preventive advice includes:
- Advising children to avoid sharing hats, hair accessories, or combs.
- Encouraging regular head checks in schools or daycare settings.
- Educating caregivers about early detection signs.
By integrating accurate diagnosis, appropriate pharmacologic agents, thorough combing, and strict environmental hygiene, lice infestations can be eliminated efficiently and with minimal recurrence.