How to Kill Lice Fast
Lice are a problem many parents encounter when their children are in school. The Kid's Health website explains that lice are not harmful, but they spread quickly from one child to another. The lice feed on very small amounts of blood and live on the individual's scalp. Once a lice outbreak occurs, children will be checked frequently at school. If a child has lice, he will not be able to return to school until the lice and eggs are completely gone. It is important for parents to learn how to kill lice quickly and effectively.
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Instructions
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Check the child's scalp to see if lice are present. The Kids Health website explains that a child who has lice will have an extremely itchy and possibly inflamed scalp. Look on individual shafts of hair in order to see the nits, or lice eggs, which are usually yellow or white and no further than half an inch from the scalp.
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Go to a grocery store or pharmacy to purchase an over-the-counter lice treatment. The Head Lice Info website explains that some familiar brands include Rid, Nix, Pronto and Clear. The Rid website explains that several anti-lice products should be purchased: shampoo, hair gel with a comb and household lice-killing spray.
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Follow the directions on the product package. Thoroughly shampoo and rinse the child's hair with the special shampoo. Once the hair is dry, apply the lice- and egg-killing gel. Use the special comb to remove the lice eggs.
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Manually remove any of the lice eggs that remain following the treatment process. All of the eggs must be removed.
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Clean all of the child's clothes and bedding. Wash the clothes and bedding in hot water and put them in a hot clothes dryer for at least 20 minutes; the heat will kill any remaining lice. Use the household lice-killing spray on mattresses or upholstery that might have been infected.
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Tips & Warnings
Warn your children not to share combs, hair brushes and hair accessories with anyone else. Discard hair ribbons, barrettes and hair bands that might be contaminated.
Use lice treatments exactly as directed on the package, and never on children under age 2. Most lice treatments contain insecticides that should not be used longer or more often than directed. Call your pediatrician if you have any concerns about the safety of the products.
