Finding out you or your child has head lice can feel overwhelming, but please know you are not alone. It’s an incredibly common issue, especially among school-aged children, and it has absolutely nothing to do with cleanliness. Lice are tiny insects that live on the human scalp and feed on small amounts of blood. The key to removing them is a combination of effective treatment and thorough manual removal.
Gathering Your Lice Removal Supplies
Before you begin, it helps to have everything you need on hand. You will want an over-the-counter lice treatment shampoo or lotion, often containing permethrin or pyrethrins. Read the instructions carefully. You’ll also need a fine-toothed nit comb, which is essential for removing eggs, plenty of conditioner, a towel, and good lighting. Having a magnifying glass can also be a big help for spotting tiny nits.
The Step-by-Step Treatment Process
Start by applying the medicated lice treatment exactly as the package directs. After the recommended time, rinse the product out over a sink, not in the shower or bath, to limit skin contact. Next, saturate the damp hair with a generous amount of conditioner. This doesn’t kill lice, but it stuns them temporarily and makes combing much easier. Section the hair and use your fine-toothed comb to carefully comb through each section from the scalp to the very end of the hair. Wipe the comb on a paper towel after each pass to remove lice and nits.
Tackling the Lice Eggs (Nits)
Nits are the eggs of head lice and are cemented firmly to the hair shaft, very close to the scalp. They are tiny, oval-shaped, and often yellow or white. Simply washing or treating with a product will not remove them all. Manual removal with the nit comb is the most effective way. You may need to go through the hair section by section for several days in a row to ensure you’ve caught all the newly hatched lice before they can lay more eggs.
Preventing Lice from Coming Back
While treating the hair, it’s wise to take some steps around the home. Wash bedding, recently worn clothes, and towels in hot water and dry them on a high heat cycle. Items that can’t be washed can be sealed in a plastic bag for two weeks. Soak hairbrushes and combs in hot water for 5-10 minutes. The main focus, however, should be on the thorough and repeated combing of the hair, as lice cannot survive long without a human host.
Dealing with lice requires patience, but with a calm and methodical approach, you can successfully get rid of them. Remember to check all members of the household and inform your child’s school or camp so other families can check as well. You’ve got this.