How to Remove Lice Safely And Effectively

Removing head lice safely takes several days of treatment to avoid reinfestation.

Head lice is a common malady in elementary school age children, as it is easily spread between classmates in close proximity to one another. Once lice have found their way onto a person's scalp they will multiply rapidly and infest anyone who comes in contact with the carrier. Though not particularly dangerous, head lice can cause irritation, leading to itching and scratching. Without treatment, a head lice infestation will continue indefinitely.

Difficulty:

Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need

• Large towel
• Tissues
• Hot water in a bowl
• Bobby pins or hair clips
• Brightly lit area
• Lice comb
• Pediculicidal products

Chemical Treatments

1. Purchase an over-the-counter pediculicidal lice removal product, such as Nix or RID, or visit your doctor and get a prescription for Ulesfia lotion. While most pediculicidal -- lice-killing -- products are not for use on children under the age of two, Ulesfia is a 5 percent benzyl alcohol product that can be used on anyone 6 months old or older.

2. Apply the instructed amount of treatment to dry hair. Check the directions to determine the proper amount of chemical to use for the length of hair. Overtreatment can cause side effects, including itching, dry scalp, nausea and vomiting. Apply the product only to dry hair to prevent dilution of the chemical agents.

3. Wait 10 minutes and then comb the dead or dying lice out of the hair with a lice comb.

4. Clean off the lice comb with a tissue and deposit the tissue in a closed trash can.

5. Rinse the hair thoroughly.

6. Repeat the chemical treatment 14 days after the initial treatment to kill any lice that have hatched since the original dosing. Chemical treatments kill only live lice, not their nits.

Physical Lice and Nit Removal

1. Set up a chair in a well-lit area where you will be able to see the tiny nits on hair strands.

2. Wrap the neck area of the person to be treated with a towel to prevent lice or nits from falling down into clothing.

3. Isolate a section of the scalp with bobby pins or hair clips.

4. Pull the lice comb through the hair, starting at the follicle and pulling away from the head in one constant motion.

5. Check the comb for lice and nits. If you see lice or nits, crush them with your fingernails while pulling them off from the comb with a tissue.

6. Dip the comb in water and pull through another section of hair. Repeat this process until the entire scalp has been cleaned of nits and lice.

7. Wash the towel and clothing as soon as the combing is finished.

8. Recheck the hair every few days to prevent a single louse from creating a new infestation.

Treating the House

1. Check all members of the home for lice at the same time. This way, anyone who needs treatment will get it at the same time and the infestation won't be passed back and forth in the home.

2. Wash the infested persons' bedding and clothing in hot water. Run the items through a washing machine that gets to at least 130 degrees Fahrenheit to kill any lice or nits that may be present in the fabric. Do all laundry at this temperature for a week to be sure that the infestation isn't passed via clothing.

3. Vacuum the home. This is a very effective way of segregating the lice in an area where they can't infest anyone else.

4. Soak any combs that have been used in the past two days in 130-degree water to sanitize them.

Tips & Warnings

• Seal any items that cannot be laundered in an airtight container for two weeks to kill off all active lice and nits.

• According to the FDA, Ulesfia can cause the following side effects: irritation of the skin, scalp, and eyes, and numbness of the scalp where the product is applied.

• People with any of the following conditions should contact their doctors before beginning any lice treatment: pregnancy, cancer, seizure disorders, cerebral palsy, chronic skin conditions, asthma or sensitivity to roses, ragweed or chrysanthemums.

References

• North Dakota Department of Health; Quick Guide for Removing Head Lice; 2002
• FDA.gov: Treating Head Lice; 2009
• Oklahoma State Department of Health, Communicable Disease Division; Public Fact Sheet; Head Lice; 2006
• RIDlice.com: Frequently Asked Questions