How to Treat & Control Head Lice

Head lice spreads from person to person through direct contact, sharing personal belongings and using contaminated furniture. Lice are tiny, flightless parasites that feed off the blood in your scalp. They lay their eggs, called nits, along the hair shaft. Fortunately, treatment kits are available over the counter at most pharmacies. Kits include a shampoo to kill the adults and a comb to manually remove the nits. If lice persist after treatment, ask your doctor for other options.

Things You'll Need

• Large bowl
• Plastic bag
• Lice treatment kit (includes shampoo and comb)
• Tissues

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Instructions

• 1

  Clean your hair using the lice treatment shampoo. Follow the directions for use. The shampoo will kill the adult lice.

• 2

  Wring out excess water but leave your hair wet.

• 3

  Place the plastic bag into the bowl and fold the top over the edge of the bowl. The bag will be catching the nits and lice that fall from your head while combing.

• 4

  Select a 1-inch section of hair from the front of your head. Insert the comb into the hair right next to your scalp. Draw the comb slowly along your hair, from the root to tip, then examine the hair to determine if there are any remaining nits. Nits look like small, grayish beads. If necessary, comb again to remove any persistent nits.

• 5

  Wipe the comb's teeth to remove the nits. Discard immediately.

• 6

  Comb through your entire head of hair, 1-inch piece by 1-inch piece. Comb thoroughly and slowly to remove every single nit. If these eggs are allowed to remain, they will hatch and cause a recurrence of lice.

• 7

  Discard the liner bag and all the tissues. Soak the bowl and comb in boiling water before using again.

• 8

  Wash your clothing, bedding and any affected furniture to prevent the spread of lice.

• 9

  Check family members and friends to determine if lice have spread. Treat immediately.