Treatment
Your child’s doctor can suggest a medicated lice shampoo, cream or
lotion. You can buy some lice products, such as Nix Crème Rinse, at
your local pharmacy without a prescription. Some of the products will
have a special nit comb in the package or you can buy one separately.
This special comb can help find and remove eggs. It is very important to
remove all of the lice eggs and to treat all family members.
How to Use Nix Creme Rinse
(or store brands of permethrin)
1.
Wash the hair with regular shampoo. Do not use a conditioner. It can
keep the lice medicine from working. Rinse with warm water and
towel dry. Do not use this towel again until it has been laundered.
2.
Put white vinegar on the hair to help loosen the “glue” that holds the
eggs on the hair.
3.
Put enough of the Nix Creme Rinse to wet the hair and scalp
completely. Be sure to wet the back of the neck and behind the ears.
If the Nix Creme Rinse gets in the eyes, rinse right away with cool
water.
4.
Leave the Nix Creme Rinse on the hair for 10 minutes, but no longer.
5.
Rinse the hair and skin around the scalp well with water. Rub with a
fresh dry towel. Do not use a hair dryer – some lice products are
flammable.
6.
Comb the hair with a fine comb to find the eggs. It may help to divide
the hair in sections. All eggs must be removed! It might take 2 or 3
hours or more, and you may have to pick out the eggs by hand if the
comb does not work.
7.
Put the eggs in a plastic bag, tie it closed and throw it away. Wash
your hands well and scrub under your fingernails.
8.
Dress your child in clean clothing.
If you purchase Rid or store brands of piperonyl butoxide, apply the
product to dry hair. Start at Step 3 above and follow the steps to use this
product instead of Nix.