Treatment Options

Helping Yourself

• Comb wet hair. Use a fine-toothed or nit comb to physically remove the lice from wet hair. Repeat every three to four days for at least two weeks. This method may be used in combination with other treatments and is usually recommended as the first-line treatment for children under age 2. Remember to soak combs and brushes for 1 hour in rubbing alcohol, Lysol, or wash with soap and hot (130 degrees Fahrenheit) water before each use.

• Although rare, lice can develop resistance to medication therapy. In this case, physically removing the organisms may be tried, but if the infestation lasts longer than 3 days, you should contact your doctor for further assistance. A good way to determine if there is resistance is to see if the head lice medication does not kill any crawling lice within 24 hours. If lice are still crawling within 24 hours of the medication application, then resistance is likely. If the medication kills some of the lice or the lice are only twitching (but not crawling) 24 hours after treatment, then resistance to medication is probably not occurring.

• Consider treating family members, sexual partners, or anyone who could have come into contact with the lice.

• All bedding and clothing should be sterilized by boiling or washing in the hottest water cycle of the washing machine to avoid reinfestations. Vacuuming floors and furniture can help in removing lice but only vacuum the places where the infested person usually sits or lays. (Vacuuming in other areas can spread the lice.)

• Seams of clothing should be examined to verify that all organisms are removed. You should dry clean clothes that are not washable such as hats and coats.

• Do not treat the infested person more than 3 times with the same medication if it does not seem to work.

• Do not use extra amounts of the lice medication unless instructed. These drugs are insecticides and can be dangerous when misused or overused.

• Do not mix head lice drugs unless instructed by your doctor.

• Household sprays should not be used to kill lice infestations because breathing the fumes of these agents is dangerous.

  It is very difficult for head lice medication to penetrate the nit shell. Medication may effectively kill crawling bugs, but may not treat the nits. Therefore, follow-up treatment is recommended.

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  Note: The above information is intended to supplement, not substitute for, the expertise and judgment of your physician, pharmacist, or other healthcare professional. It is not intended to diagnose a health condition, but it can be used as a guide to help you decide if you should seek professional treatment or to help you learn more about your condition once it has been diagnosed.