What should you do if a person gets lice? - briefly
Immediately treat the affected individual with an approved pediculicide and repeat the application as directed. Then launder clothing, bedding, and personal items in hot water, vacuum the living area, and examine close contacts for signs of infestation.
What should you do if a person gets lice? - in detail
When an individual is found to have head‑lice, immediate and systematic action reduces spread and eliminates the infestation.
First, confirm the presence of live lice or viable nits. Use a fine‑toothed comb on damp hair, parting sections from scalp outward. Live insects move quickly; nits appear as opaque, oval shells attached within ¼ inch of the scalp.
Next, apply an approved pediculicide. Follow the product label precisely: measure the correct dose, apply to dry hair, then saturate the scalp and hair for the specified duration (usually 10 minutes). Rinse thoroughly with warm water. For resistance concerns, consider a second treatment after 7–10 days, as newly hatched lice may have survived the first application.
Simultaneously, remove residual eggs manually. After the chemical treatment, comb the hair with a nit‑comb while the hair remains wet. Repeat the combing process every 2–3 days for two weeks, ensuring each pass covers the entire scalp.
Address personal items and the environment. Wash all clothing, bedding, and towels used within the previous 48 hours in hot water (≥ 130 °F) and tumble‑dry on high heat. Items that cannot be laundered should be sealed in a plastic bag for two weeks or exposed to a freezer at 0 °F for 24 hours. Vacuum carpets, upholstered furniture, and car seats to remove stray insects.
Inform close contacts. Family members, classmates, and anyone sharing hats, helmets, or hair accessories should be examined and, if necessary, treated. Advise against sharing personal items that contact the scalp.
Finally, monitor for reinfestation. Conduct weekly inspections for at least one month. If live lice reappear despite repeated treatment, consult a healthcare professional for alternative therapies such as prescription‑strength lotions or oral agents.
By adhering to these steps—verification, chemical treatment, mechanical removal, environmental decontamination, communication, and ongoing surveillance—the infestation can be eradicated efficiently and recurrence prevented.