What should be used to wash the head to get rid of lice? - briefly
A lice‑removing shampoo that contains 1 % permethrin or a pyrethrin‑based formula should be applied to the scalp, left on for the recommended time, then rinsed thoroughly. After washing, comb the hair with a fine‑toothed nit comb to eliminate any remaining nits.
What should be used to wash the head to get rid of lice? - in detail
Effective lice eradication begins with a proper scalp treatment followed by thorough mechanical removal.
Chemical agents
- Permethrin 1 %: most widely available over‑the‑counter shampoo; applied to dry hair, left for 10 minutes, then rinsed. Safe for children older than 2 months.
- Pyrethrin with piperonyl butoxide: similar use to permethrin; resistance may be higher in some regions.
- Malathion 0.5 %: prescription‑only lotion; applied to dry hair, left for 8–12 hours, then washed out. Suitable for children over 6 years; avoid on broken skin.
- Benzyl alcohol 5 % lotion: kills lice by asphyxiation; applied to dry hair for 10 minutes, then rinsed. Not recommended for infants under 6 months.
- Spinosad 0.9 % lotion: single‑application product; left on hair for 10 minutes before washing. Effective against resistant strains.
- Ivermectin 0.5 % lotion: prescription medication; applied to damp hair, left for 10 minutes, then rinsed. Use in older children and adults.
Non‑chemical options
- Wet combing: hair saturated with conditioner, then combed with a fine‑toothed lice comb at 5‑minute intervals for 2 weeks. Removes live lice and nits without chemicals.
- Hot air treatment: device that blows air at 130 °C for 10 seconds per section; kills lice and eggs on contact. Requires professional operation.
- Essential‑oil preparations: tea‑tree, lavender, or neem oil diluted in carrier oil; may have limited efficacy and can cause dermatitis; not recommended as sole therapy.
Procedure
- Apply chosen shampoo or lotion to clean, dry scalp according to label instructions.
- Maintain the specified exposure time; use a timer to avoid under‑ or over‑exposure.
- Rinse thoroughly with warm water.
- While hair remains wet, apply a generous amount of conditioner to loosen nits.
- Divide hair into sections; comb each section with a lice comb from scalp to tips, wiping the comb after each pass.
- Dispose of collected debris in sealed plastic or wash the comb in hot, soapy water.
- Repeat the chemical treatment after 7–10 days to eliminate newly hatched lice.
- Continue wet combing every 2–3 days for at least 2 weeks to ensure all eggs are removed.
Safety considerations
- Verify age limits and contraindications on product labels.
- Perform a patch test for potential allergic reactions before full application.
- Avoid simultaneous use of multiple pediculicides; they may interact and increase toxicity.
- Launder bedding, clothing, and personal items in hot water (≥60 °C) or seal them in plastic bags for 48 hours to prevent re‑infestation.
Combining a proven pediculicidal shampoo with diligent combing provides the most reliable outcome. Non‑chemical methods serve as adjuncts or alternatives when chemical use is contraindicated.