What should be done with lice eggs? - briefly
Use a fine-toothed nit comb on damp hair after applying an appropriate pediculicide, then wash all bedding, clothing, and personal items in hot water or seal them in a plastic bag for at least two weeks. Repeat the combing process every few days until no eggs remain.
What should be done with lice eggs? - in detail
Effective management of lice nits requires a combination of mechanical removal, chemical treatment, and environmental decontamination.
Manual removal is the most reliable method. Use a fine-toothed nit comb on damp hair, starting at the scalp and pulling the comb straight through to the ends. Repeat the process every 2–3 days for two weeks to capture newly hatched insects. After each combing session, rinse the comb in hot, soapy water to prevent re‑infestation.
Chemical agents complement mechanical removal. Permethrin 1 % lotion, applied to dry hair and left for 10 minutes before rinsing, kills most live lice but does not affect eggs. To target nits, apply a second product containing either dimeticone or a synergistic insecticide such as malathion, following the manufacturer’s instructions precisely. Avoid over‑application; excessive exposure can cause scalp irritation.
Heat treatment offers an alternative to chemicals. A hair dryer set to high heat, held at a safe distance, can desiccate eggs within minutes. Portable devices that emit infrared heat for a prescribed duration have demonstrated >95 % efficacy against nits when used according to protocol.
Environmental sanitation reduces reinfestation risk. Wash all bedding, clothing, and personal items worn within the previous 48 hours in water ≥ 60 °C or dry‑clean them. Non‑washable items should be sealed in a plastic bag for at least two weeks, the typical lifespan of a louse. Vacuum carpets, upholstered furniture, and car seats; discard the vacuum bag afterward.
A concise protocol:
- Comb hair with a nit comb on damp strands; repeat every 2–3 days for 14 days.
- Apply a 1 % permethrin lotion; follow with a nit‑targeting product if recommended.
- Consider heat treatment as an adjunct or substitute for chemicals.
- Launder or isolate all personal textiles and clean the living environment.
- Re‑evaluate after two weeks; if live lice persist, repeat the entire regimen.
Consistent adherence to these steps eliminates both active insects and their eggs, preventing recurrence.