CDC Lice Treatment
Head Lice are small bugs, roughly the size of a sesame seed, that feed off of human blood and live in the hair on a person's head. One bug can lay up to 100 eggs in its lifetime, roughly six per day.-
Inspection
-
The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) strongly recommends careful inspection of any persons who were in contact with the infested person. They also suggest treating these persons, along with any clothing and linens, at the same time to prevent re-infestation.
Hair treatments
-
The CDC recommends treating infestations with pediculicides at least twice. The second treatment should be done within nine days of the first treatment to kill any lice that may have hatched in the interim. The need for additional treatments is recommended because no pediculicide has been approved to kill lice eggs.
OTC Treatments approved by the CDC
-
Permethrin lotion 1 percent, also called Nix, is one FDA-approved over-the-counter treatment that the CDC recommends for head lice treatments. They also suggest any over-the-counter products containing pyrethrins, one of which is available under the brand name Rid.
Household treatments
-
The house, including bed linens, clothes, stuffed animals, and any other items the infested person came in contact with within the past two days should be treated. The CDC recommends those items be machine washed and dried using high heat.
Additional recommendations
-
Floors, couches and chairs should be vacuumed, and combs and hairbrushes should be soaked in very hot water for at least 5-10 minutes. Other items that you are unable to treat immediately should be sealed in a plastic bag for at least two weeks.
Considerations
-
Lice are unable to live on a human head for longer than two days.
-