Head Lice

Head lice is often resistant to standard treatments. Follow these guidelines to help rid your child of this itchy scalp infestation.

Supplies:

• white vinegar
• stripping shampoo (baby shampoo, Prell, White Rain)
• NIX brand cream rinse (Permethrin lice treatment)
• metal lice comb (bought separately),Inomed for example
• (optional) magnifying reading glasses (helps to see the nits)

Method:

1. Rinse hair with solution of ½ water and ½ vinegar over a sink, not in the shower or tub.
2. Use a fine-tooth comb (metal lice comb) and meticulously go through the hair, pulling off the nits. This is very time-consuming.
3. After this is done, wash hair with the stripping shampoo. Use no conditioners as these may protect the lice from treatment. Rinse and towel dry.
4. Apply NIX brand cream to hair. Leave on the hair for at least 4 hours. The medication could be left on for up to 12 hours (or overnight). May cover with a shower cap.
5. Rinse hair only with clear water. Do not use vinegar at this point- this may neutralize the Nix.
6. Go through the hair with a comb again and let hair air dry. Do not use conditioners, mousse, or hair spray for awhile. Again, these may help protect the nits and lice from treatments.
7. Comb through the child's wet hair every 2 days to look for and remove nits...
8. RETREAT the hair with NIX in 7-10 days.

Home Care:

• Clean combs, brushes and hair accessories with Nix. Soak in bathroom sink and rinse with water.
• Change child's clothes after Nix treatment.
• Machine wash all clothing and bedding that have been in contact with infected person(s) in the past 3-4 days. Use hot water and hot dryer. Non-washables can be vacuumed.
• Vacuum everything that hair strands could fall on: rugs, furniture, car seats and car upholstery.
• Personal things that can't be washed or vacuumed can be tied up in plastic garbage bags for 2 weeks. Remember to keep bags out of children's reach!
• The use of environmental products (sprays etc) is NOT recommended.