What should be treated after lice treatment? - briefly
After lice are eradicated, wash all clothing, bedding, towels, and hair accessories in hot water or apply an appropriate insecticidal spray to furniture and personal items. Schedule a follow‑up inspection within a week to verify that no live insects remain.
What should be treated after lice treatment? - in detail
After the primary eradication procedure, the first priority is to eliminate any remaining eggs and prevent reinfestation. Wash all bedding, pillowcases, and towels in hot water (minimum 130 °F/54 °C) and dry on high heat for at least 20 minutes. Clothing worn in the 48 hours before treatment should be laundered under the same conditions; items that cannot be washed can be sealed in a plastic bag for two weeks.
Inspect the scalp daily for live insects and viable nits. Use a fine‑tooth lice comb on damp hair, moving from scalp to tip, and clean the comb after each pass. If live lice are observed, repeat the medication according to the product’s schedule—typically a second dose 7–10 days after the initial application.
Surrounding environments require thorough cleaning. Vacuum carpets, upholstered furniture, and floor mats; discard the vacuum bag or empty the canister into a sealed bag. Disinfect hard surfaces (e.g., headrests, hairbrushes, combs, hair accessories) with a 70 % ethanol solution or an appropriate household disinfectant. Non‑washable items such as stuffed toys should be placed in a sealed container for two weeks or exposed to direct sunlight for several hours.
All close contacts—family members, classmates, and caregivers—must be examined. Even if asymptomatic, each person should undergo a preventive combing session and, if recommended by a healthcare professional, a prophylactic dose of the same medication.
Schedule a follow‑up inspection 7–10 days after the second treatment. Confirm the absence of live insects and viable nits before declaring the infestation resolved. Continue weekly checks for an additional two weeks to catch any late‑hatching eggs.
Implement preventive habits: keep personal items (hats, scarves, hair accessories) separate, avoid sharing combs or brushes, and maintain regular hair‑combing sessions with a fine‑tooth comb. These measures sustain a lice‑free environment after the initial eradication.