I may have lice!

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What is the treatment for head lice infestation?

Getting rid of head lice requires treating the individual, the family, and the household.

Treat the individual and the family -- This requires using an over-the-counter or prescription lice- killing medicine. Treat only persons who are infested. Remember that all lice-killing products are pesticides. Follow these treatment steps:

* Remove all clothing.
* Apply lice-killing medicine, also called pediculicide [peh-DICK-you-luh-side], according to label instructions. If the affected person has extra-long hair, you may need to use a second bottle.
* WARNING: Do not use a creme rinse or combination shampoo/conditioner before using lice-killing medicine. Do not re-wash hair for 1-2 days after treatment.
* Have the affected person put on clean clothing after treatment.
* If some live lice are still found but are moving more slowly than before treatment, do not re-treat. Comb dead and remaining live lice out of the hair. The medicine sometimes takes longer than the time recommended on the package to kill the lice.
* After treatment, if no dead lice are found and lice seem as active as before, the medicine may not be working. See your health-care provider for a different medicine. Follow treatment instructions.
* Remove nits and lice from the hair shaft using a nit comb, often found in lice-killing medicine packages. Flea combs used for cats and dogs can also be used.
* After treatment, check, comb, and remove nits and lice from the hair every 2-3 days.
* Re-treat in 7-10 days.
* Check all treated persons for 2-3 weeks until you are sure all lice and nits are gone.

Treat the household:

* To kill lice and nits, machine wash all washable clothing and bed linens that the infested person touched during the 2 days before they were diagnosed. Wash clothes and linens in the HOT water cycle (130 F). Dry items on the hot cycle for at least 20 minutes.
* Dry clean clothing that is not washable (coats, hats, scarves, etc.). OR
* Seal all non-washable items (clothing, stuffed animals, comforters, etc.) in a plastic bag for 2 weeks.
* Soak combs and brushes for 1 hour in rubbing alcohol or Lysol, or wash with soap and hot water.
* Vacuum the floor and furniture. Do not use lice sprays; they can be toxic if inhaled.

Cautions:

* Women who are pregnant or breastfeeding should not use head-lice medications.
* Consult a health-care provider before using lice-killing products on a person who has allergies, asthma, or other medical conditions.
* Do not use extra amounts of lice-killing medicines.
* Do not use lice-killing medicines on the eyebrows or eyelashes.