How Are Head Lice Treated?
WouterThe first step to treating lice is to make sure your child is not in contact with infected people. This means not sharing personal items, including clothing, towels, bandanas, and headphones. It also means not letting your child sleep in someone else’s bed. Also, you should wash your child’s hat and stuffed animal to ensure they are lice-free. After washing, you should dry them thoroughly using a high-heat dryer. After a few days, you can seal the items in plastic bags to kill the lice. If you cannot wash the items, you can also soak them in hot water, which will kill the lice.
Some medications are nonpesticide and can be used to kill lice. They contain a silicone-based material called dimethicone. This ingredient obstructs the lice’s ability to manage water. The product will not work for all lice, so you should consult a doctor before applying it to your child.
Head lice are contagious and can easily be spread from person to person within a home, so you should make sure you treat your child as soon as possible. You can also prevent the spread of lice by limiting head-to-head contact between your child and others at school or in your household. In addition to treating your child, you should check your child’s head if they were in close contact with an infected person.
Head lice can be treated at home with a comb, a solution, or other medications. If you have a recurring infestation, it is best to consult with a doctor to ensure the best treatment.
