If a child has lice, what to do with the clothing? - briefly
All garments, bedding, and headwear the child has used should be washed in water of at least 130 °F (54 °C) and dried on the highest heat setting. Items that cannot be machine‑laundered must be sealed in a plastic bag for 48 hours or professionally dry‑cleaned to eradicate any remaining lice or nits.
If a child has lice, what to do with the clothing? - in detail
When a child is found to have head lice, every garment and textile that has come into direct contact with the scalp must be treated to prevent re‑infestation. The following actions constitute a comprehensive protocol.
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Separate all clothing, hats, scarves, pillowcases, sheets, blankets, and towels that the child has worn or used in the past 48 hours. Place the items in a sealed plastic bag or laundry basket that will not be opened until processing is complete.
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Wash washable fabrics in hot water at a minimum temperature of 130 °F (54 °C). Use a regular detergent; adding a small amount of a lice‑killing product such as a non‑prescription pediculicide shampoo to the rinse cycle is optional but not required if the temperature is sufficient.
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After washing, dry the items on the highest heat setting for at least 20 minutes. Heat exposure of this duration eliminates both live lice and viable eggs.
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For items that cannot be machine‑washed (e.g., delicate clothing, stuffed toys, hair accessories), seal them in a zip‑lock bag and store them in a freezer set to 0 °F (‑18 °C) for a minimum of 48 hours. Freezing at this temperature kills lice and nits.
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If freezing is unavailable, place non‑washable items in a sealed bag for two weeks, after which any surviving lice will have died from lack of a host.
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Vacuum carpets, upholstery, and vehicle seats thoroughly. Dispose of the vacuum bag or clean the canister with hot, soapy water to remove any stray nits.
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Clean hairbrushes, combs, and hair accessories by soaking them in hot (130 °F/54 °C) water for 10 minutes, then drying on high heat or discarding if damaged.
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Dispose of any single‑use items (e.g., disposable hats, headbands) that cannot be decontaminated.
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Document the date and method of treatment for each category of item. This record assists in monitoring compliance and confirming that the entire environment has been addressed.
By following these steps—immediate isolation, high‑temperature laundering, controlled freezing, and thorough environmental cleaning—the risk of lice re‑establishing after treatment is minimized.