Treatment

  • How do I Treat Lice and Keep it From Coming Back?

    1. Carefully follow the directions on the lice treatment package.  Not following directions is the biggest reason why it doesn't work.
    2. If your child has extra long hair (longer than shoulder length), you may need to use a second bottle.  Pay special attention to instructions on the bottle about how to thoroughly work it into the hair, how long the medication should be left on and whether rinsing the hair is recommended after treatment.
    3. Comb out the nits left after treatments.  Do this by sliding a nit up the hair shaft with your fingers or using a nit comb.
    4. Most of the time a second treatment is necessary.  If you don't kill the nits, they will hatch and your child will have lice again!  All products specifically created to treat head lice will recommend a second treament and nit combing 7 to 10 days after the first treatment to kill any left over lice or nits.
    5. Launder clothing and bedding immediately before lice treatment.
      • Laundry water should be at least 130 degrees Fahrenheit to kill the lice.
      • CAUTION:  Do not bathe or shampoo in water this hot!  This temperature is for laundry only!
    6. Dry cleaning kills lice and their nits in clothing that can't be washed.
    7. Seal clothing, stuffed toys, pillows, blankets, or other small soft items, for two weeks in tightly closed plastic bags to kill both lice and nits!
    8. Safe, effective, FDA approved chemical sprays made to kill lice, are available over the counter.  These are OK to use on things tha can't be washed, dry-cleaned, or sealed in plastic bags; like furniture, carpets, car seats or other large immoblie or non-washable items.
    9. Vacuum carpets, furniture, and curtains to pick up any live lice or nits that may have fallen or crawled there.
    10. Soak combs and brushes and other washable items in boiling water for 5-10 minutes.
    11. Teach children not to share brushes and other personal items with other children.
    12. Check your child's hair from time to time for signs of lice.  Catching it early can cut dwon the number of treatments, save time, and money.

     

     

     

    DSHS. Lice Fact Sheets.  Retrieved from: www.dshs.state.tx.us/schoolhealth/lice.shtm