What to apply to the head for lice treatment? - briefly
Apply a 1% permethrin cream rinse or a 0.5% malathion solution according to the label directions. Re‑treat after 7–10 days to eradicate any newly hatched nits.
What to apply to the head for lice treatment? - in detail
Effective lice eradication requires a product that kills both adult insects and their eggs. The most reliable options fall into three categories: over‑the‑counter (OTC) pediculicides, prescription medications, and adjunctive non‑chemical methods.
OTC treatments contain pyrethrin, permethrin (1 % lotion), or dimethicone (a silicone‑based oil). Apply the lotion or cream to dry hair, saturating the scalp and strands from root to tip. Leave it on for the time specified on the label—typically 10 minutes for pyrethrin, 8 hours for permethrin, and up to 8 hours for dimethicone—then rinse thoroughly. These agents are approved for children six months and older (pyrethrin) or two months and older (permethrin), but dimethicone is safe for infants as young as two months.
Prescription options include malathion (0.5 % lotion) and ivermectin (0.5 % lotion). Malathion is applied to dry hair, left for 8–12 hours, then washed out; it is effective against resistant lice but may cause skin irritation. Ivermectin requires a single 10‑minute application to wet hair, followed by a rinse. Both require a prescription and are suitable for children over two years.
Adjunctive measures enhance success. After chemical treatment, use a fine‑toothed nit comb on wet, conditioned hair to remove remaining nits; comb in sections, cleaning the comb after each pass. Repeat the entire treatment cycle after 7–10 days to eliminate newly hatched lice. Wash bedding, clothing, and personal items in hot water (≥ 60 °C) or seal them in a plastic bag for two weeks if washing is impractical.
For individuals preferring non‑chemical approaches, high‑concentration dimethicone (≥ 4 %) or silicone‑based hair oils can suffocate lice without neurotoxic agents. Apply generously, cover the scalp with a plastic cap, leave for several hours, then comb out nits. Although less studied, these methods avoid pesticide resistance and are well tolerated.
Safety considerations: avoid using products on broken skin, follow age restrictions, and monitor for allergic reactions. Do not combine multiple chemical treatments simultaneously, as this increases toxicity risk. If irritation persists or treatment fails after two cycles, consult a healthcare professional for alternative regimens.