How Hard is it to Get Rid of Head Lice?
WouterThe first step in getting rid of head lice is to identify the source of infestation. Check your child’s clothing and any other items that may have come in contact with their head. If you find any of these items to be infested, you should wash them as quickly as possible in hot water. After drying, store the items in a plastic bag to prevent reinfestation. It is also important to check household members for lice.
The second step is to treat the nits, or eggs, that the lice are hiding in. This step is particularly important if the infestation has spread from one person to another. This is possible with the help of a lice treatment that contains permethrin. These treatments may be over-the-counter (OTC) or prescription. Some methods require repeated treatments to achieve complete results. In severe cases, a doctor may prescribe antibiotics to treat the lice.
One common home remedy for head lice is olive oil. This remedy is an effective treatment, but it may take as long as eight hours to kill all the lice. Moreover, olive oil is not effective in killing nits, which you have to manually remove with a comb. You can also use a solution of olive oil and vinegar to loosen the nits.
Another preventative measure to avoid the spread of head lice is to keep your child home whenever an outbreak occurs. If your child is going to school, you should notify the school immediately. The school can help you prevent the spread of lice to other kids.
