Lice Aren't Nice!
Contents of this Article
12 Easy Nit Picking Steps
The treatment of head lice is a long process that can take up to 21 days. To get rid of head lice you must do two things - kill the live lice on the head, and remove all the nits (lice eggs) from the hair. If lice show up again after you treat, it is usually because nits or newly hatched lice were not removed. This happens often because some of the lice are so small they can only be seen under a microscope.
THE MOST IMPORTANT ACTIVITY IN LICE TREATMENT IS NIT PICKING. IF YOU DO NOT PICK NITS REGULARLY, NOTHING ELSE YOU DO WILL WORK!
So. . . . don't panic! Take a deep breath and read on!
What you will need (for each person):
- One sheet or large towel
- Two towels or hair dryer
- A sink to wash hair in
- One regular tooth comb
- Hair clips
- One nit comb - LiceMeister ™ or LiceOut ™ comb
- Tissue - paper towels or toilet paper
- Good lighting - a magnifying glass if you have one
1) Wet hair in sink. Place a sheet or large towel under the chair and seat the person with head lice in the chair. Remember that nits are very small so make sure that you are in a place with good lighting.
2) Dry the hair with a towel or hair dryer until it is completely dry. The heat will help loosen the nits from the hair.
3) Wet the hair again and comb out tangles with a regular tooth comb.
4) Part hair into four sections and pin with clips.
5) Pick one section. Starting at the top of this section, lift a one inch wide strand of hair and place the teeth of the nit comb as close to the scalp as possible. Make sure the teeth of the comb are deep into the strand of hair. Pull the nit comb through the strand of hair.
6) Nits that are difficult to remove may be scraped off by moving the nit comb up and down the hair shaft starting at the scalp. Wipe the comb off with a tissue, after each stroke through the hair.
7) Pin back each section of hair after removing the nits.
8) Repeat steps 5-7 to the remaining 3 sections of hair. If the hair becomes dry, dampen with a little water.
9) After picking all the lice and nits you can see, rinse the hair with water to wash out any loose nits.
10) Dry the hair with a clean towel or hair dryer, then check the entire head for nits you may have missed.
11) IMPORTANT - Pick the nits twice a day for two weeks, even if you don't see nits.
12) Have the person who was treated change into clean clothes.
NOTE: If you are picking nits for more than one person - pour boiling water over the nit comb, hair clips, and regular comb and let soak for 30 seconds.
Clean Up After Nit Picking
- Wash the sheet or large towel that was placed below the person who was treated.
- Soak all the combs and hair clips in bleach water. (1/4 cup bleach to 1 quart cold water for one hour)
- Wash all of the used towels.
- Flush all of the used tissues down the toilet or seal in a garbage bag.
- Wash any clothing the person was wearing.
The Lice Aren't Nice Community Coalition (LANCC) does not endorse or promote any of the products mentioned. Details are provided for your information only! The information in this summary was gathered by the Lice Aren't Nice Community Coalition (LANCC) and was reviewed by the Snohomish Health District. The Lice Aren't Nice Community Coalition (LANCC) does not assume responsibility for the outcome of your treatment. January 2006.
References:
Washington State Department of Health - Lice Aren't Nice Community Coalition of Snohomish County (LANCC) - Publications - January 2006 - www.doh.wa.gov
This summary is a general overview about the topic discussed and does not include all the facts, or include everything there is to know about any medicine and/or products mentioned. Do not use any medicine and/or products without first talking to your doctor. Possible side effects of medications, other than those listed, may occur. Full Disclaimer & General Safety Advisory