Self-Care Guidelines
If you think your child may have head lice, search for lice and nits using a fine-toothed comb, also called a louse comb, that can be purchased at most drug stores. Examine your child's scalp with a bright light, and use a magnifying glass if necessary.
If you find lice and/or nits, follow these guidelines:
- Over-the-counter medications for head lice are effective and should be the first treatment you use. These include pyrethrins (A200®, Pronto®, R&C®, RID®, Triple X®) and permethrin lotion 1% (Nix®). Both medicines kill only live lice, not the eggs, so they should be reapplied in 7–10 days to kill newly hatched lice. These treatments are only minimally absorbed through the skin, but they should not be used on children aged younger than 2 years. Use these medicines exactly as directed. These medicines are insecticides and should not be applied in greater quantity or more frequently than recommended.
- Before applying the over-the-counter lotions, do not use conditioner on the hair, as this will coat the hair and protect the lice from the medicine. Also, do not wash the hair for 1–2 days after treatment.
- After the treatment, wear clean clothes and wash other clothes, bed linens, and towels in hot water (greater than 130°F [54.45°C]) and dry them using the hot cycle for at least 20 minutes.
- Wash any object that your child has come into contact with during the past 48 hours in hot water for at least 5 minutes.
- Seal potentially contaminated but nonwashable objects in plastic bags for 2 weeks. (The lice will die within 2 days, and the nits will hatch and die within 2 weeks.)
- Vacuum floors and furniture.
- Examine the hair and scalp of household members and treat them if they are infested.
- Notify the school nurse, teacher, or day-care provider if your child is diagnosed with head lice. Your child can return to school after proper treatment.
- Do not share combs, hairbrushes, hats, towels, bedding, clothing, headphones, stuffed toys, or other items with someone who has head lice.
Note: You do not need to fumigate or fog your home.
When to Seek Medical Care
See your child's doctor if you have any questions about self-care measures or if you continue to see crawling lice 8–12 days after treatment. Your child may need retreatment with a different medicine. Also call the doctor if you see any signs of bacterial infection on the scalp, such as redness, swelling, pain, or pus. Call the doctor before using any louse medicines if you are pregnant.
Signs and Symptoms
