Lice are tiny parasites that live on the scalp of humans and feed on small amounts of blood. According to KidsHealth.org, an award-winning health-information website, lice are a very common problem, especially among kids ages 3 to 12. Girls typically attract the insects more than boys because they have more hair. Lice are not dangerous. They do not spread disease. But they can be irritating, itchy and cause inflammation.
Hair Conditioner
You can remove head lice using a normal comb, a fine-tooth comb and ordinary conditioner. Condition the hair thoroughly. Leaving the conditioner in, comb the wet hair. This will help dislodge and immobilize the insects. Using a fine-tooth comb, or a nit comb, which is available at many stores and pharmacies, comb the hair starting from the roots all the way to the end of the hair shaft. Inspect the comb after each stroke for lice and nits and wipe the comb clean. This process should take at least a half hour.
Repeat every two or three days until the comb is completely free of lice and nits after an entire session. You should only need to do this for about two weeks.
Suffocation Methods
Depending on the volume of your infestation, you may be able to smother head lice using oil-based products. Before bedtime, apply petroleum jelly, mayonnaise or olive oil to the entire head and securely cover with a shower cap or plastic bag. Leave the hair covered the entire night. In the morning, wash the hair with ordinary shampoo as often as needed to remove the salve.
Medicated Hair Cleansers
MedicalNewsToday.com recommends lathering an over-the-counter shampoo or conditioner formulated to kill lice and lice eggs, known as nits. While the shampoo or conditioner is still on the head, work a fine-tooth comb through the hair. The comb will help distribute the cleanser over the entire scalp. Note that even the nonprescription head washes contain some insecticides, so it's important to use the amount indicated on the instructions.
For two or three days after applying a medicated treatment, refrain from washing the hair with ordinary soap and conditioner. You need to allow time for the medication to work.
Rubbing Alcohol for Accessories
Once you've discovered a lice infestation, soak hair accessories that have been recently used, including barrettes, hair ties and bands, in rubbing alcohol or medicated lice shampoo. Afterward, rinse under hot water. Throwing these items away is the only guaranteed method for ridding them of insects completely.
