How to Care for Nits

Nits, or lice eggs, can develop into mature head lice if you don't remove them from the hair and kill them. Lice are tiny insects that feed on your blood, causing itching and irritation to the scalp and neck. Although lice shampoos and creams may be effective in killing mature lice, these preparations may not kill nits. Using a nit comb can help you ensure that all nits are removed from the hair, preventing a reinfestation.

Things You'll Need

• Lice shampoo or cream
• White vinegar
• Towel
• Clips
• Nit comb
• Dishwashing liquid

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Instructions

• 1

  Apply a lice-killing shampoo, cream or other product to the hair. Follow package directions for use. If you have long hair, you may need more than one application to completely cover the hair.

• 2

  Rinse your hair with white vinegar and let the vinegar sit on the hair for 10 minutes. Towel dry the hair.

• 3

  Use clips to divide the hair into sections. Work with one section at a time. Using two sets of clips in different colors can help you keep track of completed and uncompleted sections.

• 4

  Run a fine-toothed nit comb through each section of hair. Start from the crown of the head, working the comb slowly down the length of the hair shaft.

• 5

  Kill the mature lice and nits caught in the teeth of the comb by dipping the comb into a solution of hot water and dishwashing liquid.

• 6

  Repeat the combing process until all nits have been removed. Use the nit comb every day for two weeks to check for new nits or nits you may have missed.

• 7

  Flush the water containing the nits and lice down the toilet.