Lice are small parasitic insects that commonly live in the hair. These wingless creatures burrow into the scalp and survive by drinking the blood that results from small bites on the skin. These bites can cause discomfort and itching, and the resulting scratching can cause irritation and pain. Lice most commonly infest children because they tend to have more head-to-head contact with each other and are more likely to share hats. Lice cannot live for very long off of the human body, however, so once the lice and their eggs have been out of the hair for a few days, a re-infestation is unlikely.
Step 1
Use ointments and shampoos designed to target head lice. These medications, which can be purchased over the counter (though there are stronger prescription formulations if needed), typically contain permethrin. They should be used precisely as indicated on the label.
Step 2
Comb out the remaining lice. Some lice medication kits come with a special fine tooth comb. Alternately, you can use a very fine metal comb (often available from pet stores) to pick out the remaining lice from the head. The lice should be combed and picked out 12 hours after using the medication, and every two to three days thereafter until all lice are gone.
Step 3
Wash in hot water all items of clothing that the person may have worn while infested, as well as any linens or towels used during this time. Vacuum items that are unwashable, such as carpets, couches and stuffed animals.
Step 4
Reapply the lice medication/shampoo nine or 10 days after the initial treatment. This is because these products do not kill all of the eggs, which could allow the lice to grow back and re-infest.
Things You'll Need
- Lice medication/shampoo
- Fine tooth comb
- Soap
- Hot water
- Vacuum
