Once an infestation is detected, all clothes (including coats with hoods) should be washed in hot soapy water. Pillowcases, sheets, blankets and other bedding material should also be washed and placed in the clothes dryer on a "high heat" cycle to kill adult head lice and eggs.
Non-washable items (such as headphones) should be dry cleaned or sealed in plastic bags and placed in the freezer at 50F or lower for 2 days or more. In warmer climates, you can also place in black plastic bags place outside in a sunny location for over 5 hours. Vacuuming the home will remove hair with nits.
Your child should be treated with an approved pesticide following pesticide label guidelines. Check with your local Cooperative Extension office for state-specific recommendations. Do not wash the child's hair prior to pesticide application as it removes oils necessary for pesticide activity and can even break down the pesticide. Many of the pesticides labeled for use against head lice require a second treatment. It is critical that this second application be made as most pesticides do not kill lice eggs and do not last long enough in the hair to kill the nymphs (immatures) when they emerge.
If after following these guidelines, the infestation continues, consult with a physician to inquire about prescription strength pesticides.
Home remedies are not recommended as they have not been shown effective in University testing and some materials recommended for use can cause more harm than the lice themselves.
Other members of the home should also be checked for lice and nits (eggs). All members of the household that are found infested should be treated at the same time. Continue weekly head checks of the whole family for at least a month after the final treatment.
