Lice: how can they be destroyed? - briefly
Effective eradication combines a pediculicide shampoo or lotion with meticulous combing of wet hair using a fine-tooth nit comb, and washing bedding, clothing, and personal items at high temperature. A repeat application after 7–10 days eliminates any newly hatched nits, ensuring complete removal.
Lice: how can they be destroyed? - in detail
Head lice infestations can be eliminated through chemical, physical, and preventive measures.
Over‑the‑counter pediculicides containing permethrin, pyrethrin, or dimethicone kill active insects and their nits when applied according to label directions. Resistance to pyrethroids is documented; therefore, products with higher‑concentration dimethicone or spinosad are recommended when prior treatments fail.
Manual removal involves fine‑toothed lice combs. Wet the hair, apply a conditioner to reduce slip, and comb from scalp to tip in sections. Repeat the process every 2–3 days for two weeks to capture newly hatched nymphs.
Heat‑based approaches include using a calibrated hair dryer (minimum 130 °C) applied to the scalp for 30 seconds per area, or placing infested items in a dryer on high heat for 20 minutes. Both methods destroy eggs and adults without chemicals.
Environmental control requires laundering clothing, bedding, and towels in water ≥60 °C, followed by tumble‑drying on high heat. Items that cannot be washed should be sealed in airtight plastic bags for at least two weeks to suffocate any remaining lice.
Preventive strategies:
- Avoid sharing combs, hats, or hair accessories.
- Keep hair tied back in long‑hair individuals to reduce contact.
- Conduct weekly scalp inspections in settings with known outbreaks.
When chemical treatment is contraindicated—such as in infants under two months, pregnant women, or individuals with dermatologic sensitivities—heat or manual removal should be the primary method, supplemented by environmental decontamination.
Failure to follow the full treatment cycle, including repeat applications 7–10 days after the initial dose, often results in resurgence. Comprehensive eradication demands simultaneous action on the host, the insects, and their surroundings.