How to Remove Lice

Removing lice can be straightforward and manageable with the right approach. By following these simple instructions, lice can effectively be eliminated, and infestations can be prevented from getting out of control. These step-by-step instructions will ensure the thorough and efficient removal of lice.

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Step One: Prepare the work area

Choose a well-lit area such as the kitchen table or bathroom. Gather the tools - a high quality lice comb, hair conditioner, hair clips, paper towels, and a plastic garbage bag.

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Step Two: Saturate the hair

Start with dry hair. Brush out any tangles and apply a thick coat of conditioner to the hair. Let the conditioner sit on the hair for 10 minutes before beginning reduction combing.

    ♦ The conditioner will imobilize the lice, allowing them to be easily combed out of the hair. Lice can not be drowned out of hair as they can survive up to eight hours without air.

 

Step Three: Comb out lice and nits

On one small section of hair at a time, start the comb right against the scalp, and comb from the scalp all the way to the ends in one pass, wiping the comb on a paper towel after each swipe. Repeat until no more nits are seen on the comb or conditioner.

    ♦ Nits can be seen against the white paper towel and conditioner as very light tan coloured, extremely small ovals or dots. Live lice will appear as reddish or brownish coloured masses ranging in size up to as large as a sesame seed.

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Step Four: Dispose of the conditioner and lice

Wash the conditioner out of the hair. Rinse the conditioner off the tools used, and dispose of the paper towels in a tied off plastic bag. No other precautions are needed as the lice are unable to escape the conditioner.

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Step Five: Remove lice from the environment and personal items

Wash clothing, bed linens, and any items used in the last 48 hours in hot water and dry on high heat. Vacuum carpets and furniture. Soak hair clips, elastics, brushes, combs etc in hot water for 20 minutes or freeze in a sealed plastic bag overnight.

 

Step Six: Repeat the process

For best results repeat the process twice, once at 5-7 days after the initial treatment, and again 5-7 days later. This frequent treatment disrupts the lice lifecycle by removing any missed nits or newly hatched nymphs before they can mature and reproduce.

 

Step Seven: Get ahead of future exposures

People at risk of continued exposure, such as preschool or primary school children and their parents and siblings, can prevent infestations from taking hold by using the lice comb on wet or conditioned hair in the bath or shower once each week.

Nit Pickers ~ Expert Lice Removal with a Gentle Touch