What is a quick method to remove lice and nits at home from a child's long hair? - briefly
Apply a warm, oily conditioner (such as coconut or olive oil) to the hair, let it sit for 10‑15 minutes, then run a fine‑toothed «nit comb» through the strands from scalp to ends, removing lice and eggs. Repeat the treatment after 48 hours to eliminate any newly hatched nits.
What is a quick method to remove lice and nits at home from a child's long hair? - in detail
A fast home technique for eliminating head lice and their eggs in long‑hair children relies on three core actions: thorough wet combing, a suffocating agent, and environmental decontamination.
The process begins with a wet‑combing session. Shampoo the hair with a regular detergent, rinse, and keep the strands damp. Apply a generous amount of a fine‑toothed lice comb, starting at the scalp and pulling each stroke toward the hair tips. After every pass, wipe the comb on a paper towel and repeat until the entire length has been examined. This step removes live insects and most nits attached close to the scalp.
Next, introduce a suffocating substance to kill any remaining eggs. A mixture of 1 part olive oil and 1 part petroleum jelly applied to the scalp and hair shafts creates an airtight coating. Leave the mixture on for 30–45 minutes, then repeat the wet‑combing routine to extract any newly immobilized nits.
Finally, cleanse the surrounding environment to prevent re‑infestation. Wash all bedding, clothing, and towels in hot water (≥ 60 °C) and tumble‑dry on high heat. Vacuum carpets, upholstered furniture, and car seats; discard the vacuum bag or clean the canister afterward. Items that cannot be laundered should be sealed in a plastic bag for two weeks.
Step‑by‑step summary
- Shampoo, keep hair wet, comb with fine‑toothed lice comb from scalp to tips.
- Wipe comb after each pass; repeat until no insects are visible.
- Apply olive‑oil/petroleum‑jelly blend; wait 30–45 minutes.
- Perform a second wet‑combing session to remove residual eggs.
- Launder all washable items in hot water; dry on high heat.
- Vacuum all surfaces; isolate non‑washable items for two weeks.
Execution of these steps within a single day typically eliminates the infestation and minimizes the risk of recurrence.