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How to Use a Lice Comb

Dealing with lice is an unfortunate rite of passage that many families must go through. Though it may make your skin itch and crawl just to think about it, when you have a case of head lice in your home, it's necessary to take immediate action. In addition to any other treatments you use, you will also have to purchase and use a lice comb to fully rid hair of lice and nits. Read on to learn how to use a lice comb.

Things You'll Need

  • Bobby pins/barrettes
  • Bright light
  • Lice comb
  • Towel
  • Ammonia (optional)
  • Hot water
  • Medium-size bowl
  • Dish detergent
  • Cooking oil
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Instructions

  1. Prepare to Use a Lice Comb

    • 1

      Purchase a lice comb at the pharmacy, looking specifically or asking for a metal comb. Plastic lice combs are not as effective as those with metal teeth.

    • 2

      Coat the hair of the affected person with cooking oil to prevent tangles and snarls while you comb. Oil also has the added benefits of smothering some of the lice and keeping the hair wet while you comb it.

    • 3

      Place a comfortable chair in bright sunlight or near a bright lamp that allows you to see clearly. Seat the person whose hair you will be combing in the chair, so that his head is at eye level and drape a towel around his shoulders.

    • 4

      Place a bowl of soapy dishwater in her lap, in which you can swish the comb as you use it. The detergent in the water will kill the lice and nits (lice eggs) combed from her hair.

    • 5

      Pin up sections of hair if it is very long, using barrettes or bobby pins.

    Use a Lice Comb

    • 6

      Brush or comb the hair with a disposable hair tool to remove any tangles.

    • 7

      Separate a small portion of hair into a section about the width of the lice comb. It's important to take a small amount of hair in order to clearly see all the nits and lice.

    • 8

      Hold the section of hair in one hand and, in the other hand, position the lice comb in a tilted position with the curved side of the teeth facing the scalp.

    • 9

      Place the lice comb close to the scalp since most nits are located less than an inch from the scalp.

    • 10

      Rake the comb slowly through the section of hair no less than three times.

    • 11

      Check the section of hair to make sure it's free of lice and nits, and pin it out of the way.

    • 12

      Swish the comb in the bowl of soapy water and make sure it, too, is free of lice and nits.

    • 13

      Repeat this process until you have combed all the sections of hair.

    Clean Up After Using a Lice Comb

    • 14

      Flush the contents of the bowl of soapy water down the toilet.

    • 15

      Sanitize the lice comb for reuse by boiling it for a minimum of 15 minutes or by soaking it in a solution of ammonia water. The solution can be prepared by adding one tsp. of ammonia per two cups of hot water. Use a nailbrush to scrub the comb, and remove any remaining debris with dental floss or an old toothbrush.

    • 16

      Wash the towels you used and any clothing that was worn by the affected person in the hot water cycle of your washing machine. Dry them thoroughly in a very hot dryer.

    • 17

      Remove the salad oil from the hair by shampooing carefully and repeating if necessary.

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