Can Head Lice Live on Clothes?
WouterWhen it comes to dealing with lice, it’s best to keep the environment as clean as possible. This means avoiding public spaces like malls, movie theaters, and other establishments where people can try on new head coverings. It also means washing all fabrics and bedding in hot water and letting them dry for at least 20 minutes. You can also use hot water in the dryer to kill off lice. For the clothing that can’t be washed, you can bag the items and put them in a plastic bag for two weeks. In addition to these methods, you can also iron your clothing to kill off nits and lice.
Head lice are easily spread from one person to another. They can be spread via direct head to head contact or by sharing items, such as clothing or bedding. This means you may be able to get the lice from your child if they share your clothes or hat. If you suspect your child has head lice, you should try to keep them away from other people until they’re treated. If you suspect your child has the parasites, you can prevent head-to-head contact by keeping their hair up in a bun, braid, or ponytail.
Medicated head lice treatments can also be used. These can be purchased over-the-counter or prescribed by a physician. Make sure you follow the directions on the package. Medicated treatments need to be applied properly and for a period of seven to nine days to be effective. Then you need to retreat afterward to ensure the remaining lice have been killed.
