How to treat the house if a child has lice? - briefly
Thoroughly clean all bedding, clothing, and washable fabrics in hot water (≥130 °F) and dry them on high heat; immediately seal non‑washable items in sealed plastic bags for two weeks. Vacuum carpets, upholstery, and car seats, then discard the vacuum bag or empty the canister into a sealed bag and wash hands after handling.
How to treat the house if a child has lice? - in detail
When a child is found to have head lice, the household must be decontaminated to stop the spread. The process begins with treating the infested person, then moves to cleaning personal belongings and the surrounding environment.
Treat the child first. Use an approved pediculicide according to the product label, repeat after 7‑10 days, and comb out nits with a fine-toothed lice comb. Wash all clothing, towels, and bedding that the child has used in the past 48 hours in hot water (minimum 130 °F/54 °C) and dry on high heat. Items that cannot be machine‑washed should be sealed in a plastic bag for two weeks or dry‑cleaned.
The home environment requires thorough cleaning:
- Vacuum carpets, rugs, upholstered furniture, and floor mats; discard vacuum bags or clean canisters immediately.
- Wipe hard surfaces—tables, countertops, door handles, light switches, and toys—with a disinfectant containing at least 70 % alcohol or a diluted bleach solution (1 part bleach to 10 parts water). Allow surfaces to remain wet for the recommended contact time.
- Clean hair‑brushes, combs, and hair accessories by soaking them in hot (130 °F/54 °C) water for 10 minutes, then drying on a high‑heat setting.
- For non‑washable items such as stuffed animals, place them in a sealed bag for two weeks, or expose them to direct sunlight for several hours, which reduces louse viability.
Items that are difficult to treat, such as mattresses and pillows, can be protected by covering them with a zippered, impermeable cover for at least two weeks. After the cover is removed, wash the bedding as described above.
Monitor the household for additional cases. Examine all family members within 24 hours and repeat treatment if any signs of infestation appear. Continue weekly inspections for three weeks, focusing on the nape of the neck and behind the ears, to ensure that the infestation has been fully eradicated.