What should be done at home when dealing with lice? - briefly
Apply a medicated shampoo or lotion, then comb hair with a fine‑tooth nit comb to eliminate lice and nits; simultaneously wash all bedding, clothing, and personal items in hot water and vacuum the living area to prevent re‑infestation.
What should be done at home when dealing with lice? - in detail
When lice are discovered in a household, immediate action focuses on eliminating the insects and preventing re‑infestation. Begin by confirming the presence of live nits or adult lice on the scalp. Use a fine‑tooth comb on wet hair, section by section, to locate insects.
Treatment of the affected person
- Apply an over‑the‑counter pediculicide that contains permethrin (1 %) or pyrethrin, following the package instructions precisely.
- Leave the product on the scalp for the recommended duration, then rinse thoroughly.
- After the initial application, repeat the treatment after 7–10 days to kill any newly hatched lice that survived the first dose.
- Comb the hair with a nit‑comb every 2–3 days for two weeks, removing dead nits and live insects.
Cleaning of personal items
- Wash all clothing, bedding, and towels used within the previous 48 hours in hot water (≥ 130 °F/54 °C) and dry on high heat.
- Seal items that cannot be laundered in a sealed plastic bag for two weeks, as lice cannot survive more than 48 hours off a host.
- Soak hairbrushes, combs, and hair accessories in hot water (≥ 130 °F) for at least 10 minutes; replace if damaged.
Environmental measures
- Vacuum carpets, upholstered furniture, and car seats thoroughly; discard the vacuum bag or clean the canister afterward.
- Avoid sharing hats, scarves, hair accessories, or pillows until the infestation is cleared.
Monitoring and follow‑up
- Inspect all household members daily for at least three weeks, treating any additional cases promptly.
- Continue nit‑combing until no live insects or viable nits are found for two consecutive days.
By adhering to these steps—targeted chemical treatment, rigorous hygiene of personal and household items, and sustained monitoring—lice can be eradicated from the home environment.