Head lice are small insects without wings that can grow and reproduce on the head. Head lice are parasites and survive on small amounts of blood that they get from small bites on the head. These bites may itch, leading to scratching, irritation and infection. They are most common in children because children play more closely and are more likely to share articles of clothing, such as hats, which can help the lice spread. Head lice are contagious and can easily spread through a community.
Step 1
Remove any clothing that could become stained or wet from the treatment.
Step 2
Apply the lice medicine according to the instructions on the box or bottle. Because each type of medication is different, it is important to follow the instructions in regards to how much to use and how long the medication needs to stay on the head.
Step 3
Have the infested person put on clean clothing.
Step 4
Eight to 12 hours after treatment, examine the head and comb out any dead or live lice using a fine-tooth nit comb. These combs are typically provided with lice medication kits.
Step 5
Check the hair and comb out the lice with a lice comb every two to three days thereafter to prevent reinfestation. Retreat the hair nine to 10 days after the original treatment to eliminate any lice that have grown from eggs you may have left behind on the first treatment.
Tips and Warnings
- If after eight to 12 hours following the initial treatment, there are no dead lice and the lice do not appear to be sick, the treatment may not be working and you should consult a physician.
Things You'll Need
- Lice medication
- Nit comb
