Ways of Getting Rid of Head Lice

A common problem in children ages 3 to 12, according to KidsHealth.org, head lice are insects that can nestle and feed on a child's scalp. While lice are generally not dangerous to your child's health, they can cause severe itchiness and irritation to the scalp. Head lice are also very easily passed from child to child, making it necessary to immediately treat the condition.

Medicated Shampoo and Other Treatment

• Over-the-counter shampoos, cream rinses and other lotions are available to apply to the hair in order to kill lice. Following the directions very carefully is important in using these treatments because applying too much can harm the scalp, but applying too little might not fully eradicate the lice. Prescription treatments are also available if the lice do not seem to be responding to over-the-counter treatments.

  There are several at-home remedies rumored to rid the hair of lice, including mayonnaise, olive oil, margarine, butter and other substances. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, there is no scientific evidence to back up the theory that these items kill or suffocate lice.

Combing Out

• Extricating the lice and lice eggs (known as nits) by combing them out is recommended as a way of making sure the lice are gone. If your child is under the age of 2 or does not see relief through standard treatments, this may be your main method of treatment.

  To do so, you should wet, wash and condition your child's hair, then use a fine-tooth comb to comb through your child's hair, paying close attention to the roots. You should continue this method every three to four days after the last lice and nits were found, for a period of about two weeks, according to KidsHealth.org.

Clean Linens and Personal Items

• While lice cannot survive on surfaces for very long after they are removed from the body, you should still take some simple precautions to prevent reinfection, such as thoroughly washing any bed linens and towels in hot water, then drying them in the hot cycle of your dryer. If possible, dry-clean stuffed animals, or place them in airtight bags for at least two weeks. You should also vacuum carpets and upholstered furniture.

  Items that may have touched the hair, such as combs, brushes, barrettes, hair bands and headbands, should be soaked in rubbing alcohol, medicated shampoo or very hot water. While these methods should kill any lice, simply throwing them away also may help.

  It is not necessary to fumigate your home if you have a lice outbreak; the lice can be eliminated with a thorough cleaning.