How to Treat Lice After Washing Hair

Bothersome at best and painful at worst, lice infestations happen. The best way to deal with them is quickly and without embarrassment. Although many people think that most occurrences of lice occur at school, Louisiana State University states that most cases spread in the home or with close friends. Additionally, lice can affect adults with the same frequency that they affect children. Because lice are most often transmitted from head-to-head contact (they cannot jump or fly), take measures to keep infested hair away from those without lice.

Things You'll Need

• Pediculicide lotion
• Comb
• Nit comb

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Instructions

• 1

  Dry the hair completely after you wash your hair.

• 2

  Saturate the hair with pediculicide lotion, using all the lotion in one application. Louisiana State University suggests using the lotion in a ventilated room or outside, to prevent inhalation of dangerous chemicals.

• 3

  Comb through the hair so that the lotion spreads evenly on the scalp. You may need to pick up sections of the hair and rub the lotion into the scalp.

• 4

  Allow the hair to dry for the length of time stated on the lotion package. Some want you to dry your hair completely, while others give a specific length of time.

• 5

  Rinse the lotion out of the hair.

• 6

  Comb the nit comb through your hair after eight hours, to remove any dead or live lice. Do this every three days until you find no more lice.

• 7

  Reapply lotion after seven days.